# LXXIII explained — The Way of All Flesh

> Chapter companion for The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler.

## What happens

Ernest and Ellen settle into a surprisingly harmonious married life, with Ellen tactfully encouraging Ernest's independence. Ernest finds happiness in simple pleasures, writing, and music, while gradually becoming indifferent to social slights from old acquaintances. Overton observes Ernest's literary instincts but is frustrated by his metaphysical preoccupations. Ernest eventually concludes that no absolute system of knowledge is possible, accepting his role as a 'hewer of wood' rather than a natural genius like Towneley, and turns to specific scientific inquiries.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Discovery and Authenticity

Ernest comes to terms with his own limitations, accepting that he is a 'hewer of wood' rather than a natural genius, and finds contentment in this self-knowledge.

### Education and Indoctrination

Ernest's laborious intellectual journey is contrasted with the instinctive knowledge of the Towneleys, highlighting the effects of his upbringing on his ability to think commonsensically.

## Character check-ins

### Ernest Pontifex

Settles into married life with Ellen, finds happiness in writing and music, and eventually abandons metaphysical quests for a practical acceptance of his limitations.

### Ellen

Shows tact and independence in marriage, encouraging Ernest to go out alone and not joining his Sunday outings, which Overton finds suspicious.

### Mr. Overton

Narrates the chapter, observing Ernest's development, trying to steer him toward literature, and eventually accepting Ernest's philosophical conclusions.

### Towneley

Referenced as an ideal of instinctive grace and knowledge, contrasted with Ernest's laborious intellectual path.

## Key lines

> The ordeal is a painful one, but if a man’s moral and intellectual constitution are naturally sound, there is nothing which will give him so much strength of character as having been well cut.

Being socially snubbed is painful, but it builds character in a person who is fundamentally sound.

_Overton reflects on the strengthening effect of social rejection on Ernest._

> I see it all now. The people like Towneley are the only ones who know anything that is worth knowing, and like that of course I can never be. But to make Towneleys possible there must be hewers of wood and drawers of water—men in fact through whom conscious knowledge must pass before it can reach those who can apply it gracefully and instinctively as the Towneleys can.

Ernest accepts that he is not a natural genius like Towneley, but sees himself as a necessary laborer who transmits knowledge to those who can use it instinctively.

_Ernest articulates his acceptance of his role as a 'hewer of wood' in the intellectual hierarchy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxxiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters