# Conclusion explained — The Warden

> Chapter companion for The Warden by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The final chapter ties up the story: Mr. Harding leaves the hospital quietly, refuses to return as warden, and the bishop declines to appoint a successor, leading to the hospital's decline. Harding becomes rector of St. Cuthbert's, remains precentor, and lives contentedly between his daughter Eleanor's home and the bishop's palace. Eleanor marries John Bold, and Dr. Grantly eventually reconciles with Bold.

## Themes in this chapter

### Personal Integrity and Sacrifice

Mr. Harding's quiet departure from the hospital and refusal to return, despite personal cost, exemplifies his commitment to principle over comfort.

### Institutional Corruption and Reform

The hospital's decay and the bishop's refusal to appoint a new warden highlight the failure of institutional reform and the consequences of unresolved corruption.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Harding

Leaves the hospital, becomes rector of St. Cuthbert's, remains precentor, and lives happily between his daughter's home and the bishop's palace.

### Eleanor Harding

Marries John Bold three months after leaving the hospital, moves to her husband's house.

### John Bold

Marries Eleanor; later reconciles with Dr. Grantly, who now sees him as reformed by matrimony.

### Dr. Grantly

Initially opposes the bishop's refusal to appoint a new warden and does not attend the wedding, but later becomes almost friends with John Bold.

### Bishop of Barchester

Refuses to appoint a successor to Mr. Harding, officiates at Eleanor's wedding, and frequently invites Mr. Harding to dine.

## Key lines

> No, no, he always says when so addressed, not warden now, only precentor.

He corrects anyone who calls him Warden, insisting he is now only the precentor.

_Shows Harding's acceptance of his changed role and his humility._

> The building of the hospital itself has not been allowed to go to ruins. Mr. Chadwick, who still holds his stewardship, and pays the accruing rents into an account opened at a bank for the purpose, sees to that; but the whole place has become disordered and ugly.

Though the hospital building is maintained by Mr. Chadwick, the grounds have become neglected and unattractive.

_Illustrates the physical decay mirroring the institution's moral and social decline._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warden_se/chapters/xxi-conclusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warden_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warden_se/chapters