The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
III explained
The chapter describes the annual visits of the Pontifex grandchildren to Paleham, focusing on the narrator's memories of old Mr.
What happens
The chapter describes the annual visits of the Pontifex grandchildren to Paleham, focusing on the narrator's memories of old Mr. and Mrs. Pontifex. It recounts the death of old Mrs. Pontifex in 1811, the distribution of penny loaves (dole) at her funeral, and the subsequent death of Mr. Pontifex a year later. The children's reactions to death and the dole are explored, along with a brief fight between the narrator and John Pontifex over the penny loaves. The chapter ends with the epitaph on the monument erected by George Pontifex.
Themes in this chapter
Money and Social Class
The dole of penny loaves highlights the social hierarchy and the children's sense of importance as inhabitants of the village, as well as the shame associated with poverty.
Religion and Doubt
The nurse's warnings about the Day of Judgement and eternal torture reflect the religious indoctrination and fear prevalent in the children's upbringing.
Heredity and Environment
The Pontifex grandchildren's behavior and the narrator's memories illustrate the influence of family and environment on character development.
Characters to notice
- George Pontifex
Mentioned as the only son who erected the monument to his parents.
- Theobald Pontifex
One of the five Pontifex grandchildren visiting Paleham; born in 1802; remembered for beating his nurse and teasing her.
- Alethea Pontifex
One of the five Pontifex grandchildren; the favorite of old Mr. Pontifex; the narrator fell in love with her.
- Mrs. Pontifex
Old Mrs. Pontifex, who died suddenly of a fit of paralysis in 1811.
- John Pontifex
One of the Pontifex grandchildren; a year older than the narrator; sneered at penny loaves and fought with the narrator.
- Eliza Allaby
One of the five Pontifex grandchildren visiting Paleham.
- Maria
One of the five Pontifex grandchildren visiting Paleham.
Key passages
“Theobald one day beat his nurse and teased her, and when she said she should go away cried out, "You shan't go away—I'll keep you on purpose to torment you."”
Theobald physically struck his nurse and taunted her; when she threatened to leave, he insisted he would force her to stay just so he could continue tormenting her.
Illustrates Theobald's early tyrannical behavior toward those in his power.
“Our affection, therefore, for our old friend had to stand against the combined attacks of archæological interest, the rights of citizenship and property, the pleasantness to the eye and goodness for food of the little loaves themselves, and the sense of importance which was given us by our having been intimate with someone who had actually died.”
The children's fondness for the deceased Mrs. Pontifex was challenged by their excitement over the novelty of the dole, their feeling of ownership as villagers, the appeal of the fresh bread, and the pride of having known someone who died.
Highlights the children's mixed emotions and self-interest in the face of death.
“My father heard him say "Goodbye, sun; goodbye, sun," as the sun sank, and saw by his tone and manner that he was feeling very feeble.”
My father overheard old Mr. Pontifex bidding farewell to the setting sun, and from his voice and demeanor realized he was extremely weak.
Poignant moment showing the old man's awareness of his approaching death.
