The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
LIV explained
Ernest's move to a poor London neighborhood is praised by his mother Christina for its cheapness and potential for publicity, while his father Theobald grumbles.
What happens
Ernest's move to a poor London neighborhood is praised by his mother Christina for its cheapness and potential for publicity, while his father Theobald grumbles. Ernest becomes increasingly self-important, believing he has a mission. He writes letters expressing his radical views on the Church of England, advocating excommunication for those not living up to Christian teaching. He describes his work with Pryer, including Bible classes and a scheme that requires more money, and his shift away from house-to-house visiting, instead expecting people to seek him out.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality
Ernest criticizes the Church of England for saying one thing and doing another, advocating excommunication as a remedy.
Self-Discovery and Authenticity
Ernest's growing self-importance and belief in his mission reflect his search for an authentic religious path, though it leads to self-deception.
Money and Social Class
Christina's focus on the cheapness of Ernest's living and the unaristocratic neighborhood highlights class and financial concerns.
Characters to notice
- Ernest Pontifex
Moves to a poor neighborhood, becomes self-important, writes letters about his religious mission and scheme with Pryer.
- Christina Pontifex
Applauds Ernest's move for its cheapness and potential publicity, uses this to persuade Theobald.
- Theobald Pontifex
Grumbles about Ernest's extravagance but is mollified by the argument of cheapness.
- Pryer
Collaborates with Ernest on a scheme, influences him to stop house-to-house visiting, and is praised as a gentleman and man of business.
- Dawson
Recipient of Ernest's letters describing his activities and views.
Key passages
“This move on Ernest’s part was variously commented upon by his friends, the general opinion being that it was just like Pontifex, who was sure to do something unusual wherever he went, but that on the whole the idea was commendable.”
Ernest's friends thought his move was typical of his eccentricity but generally approved.
Reaction to Ernest's decision to live in a poor neighborhood.
“I cannot call the visible Church Christian till its fruits are Christian, that is until the fruits of the members of the Church of England are in conformity, or something like conformity, with her teaching.”
Ernest argues that the Church of England is not truly Christian unless its members' actions match its teachings.
Ernest's radical critique of the Church in a letter.
“The line he now took was that if people wanted Christ, they must prove their want by taking some little trouble, and the trouble required of them was that they should come and seek him, Ernest, out; there he was in the midst of them ready to teach; if people did not choose to come to him it was no fault of his.”
Ernest decided that people should come to him for religious instruction rather than him visiting them.
Ernest's shift away from house-to-house visiting.