# LXXXV explained — The Way of All Flesh

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

## What happens

Ernest, now about thirty-two, settles in London and begins writing steadily. He publishes a book of semi-theological, semi-social essays under the guise of multiple authors, including hints that some are by a bishop, which generates curiosity and acclaim. The book advocates a lukewarm, conservative approach to the Church of England, emphasizing good breeding as a central value. Ernest enjoys temporary fame but later settles into a pattern of writing provocative works that earn him a bad literary reputation. The chapter ends with a visit from Mrs. Jupp, who receives a small allowance from Ernest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Doubt

Ernest's essays grapple with the tension between faith and reason, advocating a lukewarm, pragmatic approach to Church doctrine while acknowledging the difficulty of reconciling belief with evidence.

### Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality

The book's strategy of changing the meaning of words rather than the words themselves, and its conservative conclusions reached via advanced arguments, highlight the hypocrisy and self-serving nature of Victorian religious and social institutions.

### Self-Discovery and Authenticity

Ernest finds his voice as a writer, publishing under a pseudonymous format that allows him to express controversial ideas, though his later works earn him a 'bad literary character,' reflecting his ongoing journey toward authentic self-expression.

## Character check-ins

### Ernest Pontifex

Now about thirty-two, settles in London, writes steadily, publishes a book of essays, and later produces a series of provocative works.

### Mr. Overton

The narrator and close friend of Ernest, part of his small social set, observes Ernest's literary career and interactions.

### Mrs. Jupp

Receives a small weekly allowance from Ernest; visits his chambers, talks about the opera and manuscript, and shows her characteristic bawdy humor.

### Bell

Mentioned as having given Mrs. Jupp a ticket for the opera.

## Key lines

> If people require us to construct, we set good breeding as the cornerstone of our edifice.

When asked to build a system, we make good breeding the foundation.

_From the essay on marriage systems, advocating good breeding as the central value._

> We should be churchmen, but somewhat lukewarm churchmen, inasmuch as those who care very much about either religion or irreligion are seldom observed to be very well bred or agreeable people.

We ought to be church members, but only moderately so, because people who are intensely religious or irreligious are rarely well-mannered or pleasant.

_Summarizes the book's advocacy of a tepid, pragmatic approach to religion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/lxxxv
- 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