The Warden · Chapter
X: Tribulation explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Harding returns home deeply distressed by the public scrutiny and moral conflict over his position as warden. He isolates himself, wandering in his garden, where Bunce attempts to comfort him but learns there is no good news. Later, Eleanor comforts her father, and they discuss John Bold's reform campaign and their personal struggles, finding mutual consolation.
Themes in this chapter
Conscience vs. Authority
Mr. Harding struggles with his conscience over maintaining his position against public opinion and his own convictions, feeling forced into a false position by authority figures like the archdeacon.
Public Opinion and the Press
Harding is horrified by being 'gibbeted before ferocious multitudes' through press attacks, and Tom Towers' influence via The Jupiter is highlighted.
Love and Duty
Eleanor's love for John Bold is tested by her duty to her father, and she vows to reject Bold for opposing him, while Harding encourages her love despite the conflict.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Harding
Returns home a sadder man, tormented by public disgrace and his own conscience; isolates himself in the garden and later confides in Eleanor.
- Eleanor Harding
Watches over her father, comforts him, and confesses her love for John Bold while vowing to reject him for opposing her father.
- Mr. Bunce
Visits the warden to inquire about news from London and offers affectionate support, though he learns there is no good news.
- John Bold
Mentioned as being in London among lawyers and church reformers, speaking at a meeting and associating with Tom Towers.
- Mary Bold
Eleanor visits her daily; they discuss their respective family troubles and John Bold's activities.
- Tom Towers
Mentioned as a leading genius and companion of John Bold, supposedly employed on the staff of The Jupiter.
- Dr. Grantly
Mentioned in conversation between Harding and Eleanor as a stern figure, like a schoolmaster.
- Abel Handy
Mentioned as being 'black as devils' along with Moody, indicating discontent among the bedesmen.
Key passages
“He had read with pity, amounting almost to horror, the strictures which had appeared from time to time against the Earl of Guildford as master of St. Cross, and the invectives that had been heaped on rich diocesan dignitaries and overgrown sinecure pluralists.”
He had previously read with horror the public attacks on wealthy church officials with multiple positions, and now he faced similar disgrace himself.
Highlights Harding's empathy for those publicly vilified and his dread of becoming the target of such criticism.
“He entered his own house a crestfallen, humiliated man, without a hope of overcoming the wretchedness which affected him.”
He came home utterly defeated and ashamed, feeling no possibility of relief from his misery.
Captures Harding's deep despair and sense of hopelessness at the chapter's start.
“And then when they had discussed all this, when the father had told all to the child, she could not be less confiding than he had been; and as John Bold's name was mentioned between them, she owned how well she had learned to love him—'had loved him once,' she said, 'but she would not, could not do so now—no, even had her troth been plighted to him, she would have taken it back again;—had she sworn to love him as his wife, she would have discarded him, and not felt herself forsworn, when he proved himself the enemy of her father.'”
After her father confided in her, Eleanor admitted she had loved John Bold but now felt she must reject him for opposing her father, even if they were engaged.
Shows Eleanor's internal conflict between love and filial duty, and the mutual comfort between father and daughter.
