The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
LIII explained
Ernest, under the influence of Pryer, becomes fervently devoted to a scheme for a 'College of Spiritual Pathology' to regenerate the Church of England.
What happens
Ernest, under the influence of Pryer, becomes fervently devoted to a scheme for a 'College of Spiritual Pathology' to regenerate the Church of England. He moves into lodgings in Ashpit Place among the poor, writes letters advocating for the restoration of excommunication, and dismisses biblical prophets like Zechariah. His letters reveal his growing obsession with reforming the church through a scientific approach to sin, and his willingness to invest his money and speculate on the Stock Exchange to fund the project.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality
Ernest's naive belief in the respectability of Miss Snow's visitors and his landlady's lies highlight the gap between outward appearances and reality in Victorian society.
Education and Indoctrination
Ernest's mind is easily swayed by Pryer's ideas, showing how embryonic minds are shaped by authority figures and lack critical thinking.
Characters to notice
- Ernest Pontifex
Fervently adopts Pryer's ideas, moves into poor lodgings in Ashpit Place, writes letters advocating excommunication and a College of Spiritual Pathology, and considers investing in the Stock Exchange.
- Pryer
Influences Ernest with his ideas about spiritual pathology and excommunication; proposes the College of Spiritual Pathology and suggests investing in the Stock Exchange.
- Mrs. Jupp
Landlady of the house in Ashpit Place; tells Ernest that Miss Snow's visitors are her brothers and cousins.
- Holt
A tailor living in the house who beats his wife at night.
- Miss Snow
A lodger in the house, described as an actress at Drury Lane Theatre, visited by well-dressed young men.
Key passages
“We should excommunicate rich and poor alike, and pretty freely too. If this power were restored to us we could, I think, soon put a stop to by far the greater part of the sin and misery with which we are surrounded.”
Ernest argues that if the Church could excommunicate anyone, rich or poor, it would effectively reduce sin and suffering.
Reflects Ernest's extreme High Church views under Pryer's influence.
“Embryo minds, like embryo bodies, pass through a number of strange metamorphoses before they adopt their final shape.”
Just as developing organisms change form, immature minds undergo many transformations before settling into their final beliefs.
The narrator uses a biological metaphor to explain Ernest's intellectual volatility.
“I proposed, therefore, a few days back to Pryer—and he fell in eagerly with the proposal as soon as he saw that I had the means of carrying it out—that we should set on foot a spiritual movement somewhat analogous to the Young England movement of twenty years ago.”
Ernest suggests starting a religious reform movement similar to the earlier Young England movement, and Pryer eagerly agrees once he learns Ernest has the money to fund it.
Shows Ernest's ambition and Pryer's opportunistic interest in Ernest's finances.