The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
LXXVII explained
Ernest learns that his marriage to Ellen was invalid, bringing him immense relief.
What happens
Ernest learns that his marriage to Ellen was invalid, bringing him immense relief. Overton gives John a £5 note for revealing Ellen's history of drinking and bigamy. They take custody of the children and arrange a weekly allowance for Ellen, who shows no remorse and eventually remarries and moves to America.
Themes in this chapter
Money and Social Class
Ernest's financial concerns about supporting Ellen and the children are resolved by Overton's offer to pay the allowance, highlighting class and economic dependencies.
The Nature of Virtue and Vice
Ellen's lack of remorse and her preference for a rougher partner challenge conventional moral judgments, exploring the complexity of virtue and vice.
Characters to notice
- Ernest Pontifex
Overjoyed to discover his marriage was invalid; feels fortunate and arranges for the children's custody and Ellen's allowance.
- Mr. Overton
Narrates and manages the situation, giving John a £5 note and arranging Ellen's allowance.
- Ellen
Shows no remorse over the invalid marriage; accepts the breakup and allowance, later remarries and moves to America.
- John
Reveals Ellen's drinking and bigamy; expresses affection for Ernest and receives a £5 note.
- Mr. Ottery
Handles the negotiations with Ellen and manages her weekly allowance payments.
- Mrs. Richards
Provides details of Ellen's opinions about the breakup.
Key passages
“I do not think Ernest himself was much more pleased at finding that he had never been married than I was. To him, however, the shock of pleasure was positively numbing in its intensity.”
Ernest was as delighted as I was to learn that his marriage had never been valid; the joy was so overwhelming it left him stunned.
Ernest's relief at the invalidity of his marriage.
“What us poor girls wants is not to be jumped up all of a sudden and made honest women of; this is too much for us and throws us off our perch; what we wants is a regular friend or two, who'll just keep us from starving, and force us to be good for a bit together now and again.”
What women like me need is not to be suddenly forced into respectability, which overwhelms us; we need steady support that keeps us from destitution and encourages occasional good behavior.
Ellen's perspective on her own needs and the failure of sudden moral reform.