The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
L explained
Ernest, after hearing Mr.
What happens
Ernest, after hearing Mr. Hawke's sermon, experiences a religious conversion and decides to devote himself fully to Christianity, even giving up tobacco temporarily. He forms a spiritual alliance with Dawson and becomes part of a religious set at Cambridge. His enthusiasm leads him to write a gushing letter to his parents, which alarms Theobald, who fears his son's extremism and unpredictability. Ernest eventually resumes smoking, rationalizing that moderation is key.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Doubt
Ernest's sudden conversion and subsequent rationalization about smoking illustrate the tension between religious zeal and personal doubt.
Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality
Theobald's fear of Ernest's extremism and his own pragmatic approach to religion highlight the hypocrisy in Victorian religious expectations.
Self-Discovery and Authenticity
Ernest's struggle to reconcile his newfound faith with his personal habits (like smoking) reflects his journey toward self-understanding.
Characters to notice
- Ernest Pontifex
Undergoes a religious conversion after Mr. Hawke's sermon, gives up tobacco temporarily, forms a spiritual alliance with Dawson, and writes an impulsive letter to his parents.
- Theobald Pontifex
Receives Ernest's letter with alarm, fearing his son's extremism and unpredictability; reflects on his own past and the dangers of Ernest's zeal.
- Christina Pontifex
Mentioned as having preserved Ernest's letters; refrains from ecstasy over his conversion.
- Badcock
Meets Ernest in the college court, conveys that Mr. Hawke enquired about him, and displays an ecstatic, self-seeking demeanor.
- Dawson
A serious-minded friend who shares Ernest's enthusiasm for Mr. Hawke's sermon and agrees to mentor him spiritually.
- Mr. Hawke
Preached the sermon that inspired Ernest's conversion; enquired about Ernest and others after the discourse.
Key passages
“He hated people who did not know where to stop. Ernest was always so outré and strange; there was never any knowing what he would do next, except that it would be something unusual and silly.”
Theobald disliked those who lacked restraint; he found Ernest perpetually eccentric and unpredictable, always expecting him to do something odd and foolish.
Theobald's frustration with Ernest's unconventional behavior and his fear of extremism.
“Ernest felt now that the turning point of his life had come. He would give up all for Christ—even his tobacco.”
Ernest believed he had reached a pivotal moment and resolved to sacrifice everything for his faith, including his smoking habit.
Ernest's dramatic commitment to his religious conversion.
“On this he saw that, provided tobacco did not injure his health—and he really could not see that it did—it stood much on the same footing as tea or coffee.”
He concluded that if tobacco wasn't harmful, it was as acceptable as tea or coffee.
Ernest's rationalization for resuming smoking after his initial renunciation.