The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
Theobald's Courtship and the Allaby Family explained
Theobald Pontifex, a shy and inexperienced clergyman, is drawn into the Allaby household through the machinations of Mrs.
What happens
Theobald Pontifex, a shy and inexperienced clergyman, is drawn into the Allaby household through the machinations of Mrs. Cowey and Mrs. Allaby, who seek to marry him off to one of the five Allaby daughters. Despite his awkwardness with women, Theobald finds himself charmed by the family's attention and begins a series of Sunday visits to Crampsford, unaware of the matrimonial plot being hatched.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality
The chapter exposes the manipulative and mercenary nature of courtship, where Theobald is unknowingly ensnared by the Allabys and Mrs. Cowey, highlighting the gap between moral propriety and practical scheming.
Money and Social Class
Theobald's academic prestige and his father's publishing connections make him a desirable match, underscoring how social and economic considerations drive marriage arrangements.
Self-Discovery and Authenticity
Theobald's awkwardness and lack of experience with women reflect his struggle to understand himself and his desires, as he is thrust into a social role he is ill-prepared for.
Characters to notice
- Theobald Pontifex
Theobald, a shy and inexperienced clergyman, is the target of a matrimonial scheme by the Allaby family and Mrs. Cowey. He is awkward with women but begins to feel appreciated by the Allabys.
- Christina Pontifex
Christina is one of the five Allaby daughters vying to become Mrs. Pontifex. She is part of the family's plot to secure Theobald as a husband.
- Mrs. Allaby
Mrs. Allaby is the enthusiastic mother who, along with her husband, orchestrates the courtship of Theobald for one of her daughters. She drives home with 'delightful visions' of the match.
- Mrs. Cowey
Mrs. Cowey is a matchmaker who takes Theobald 'in tow' and arranges for him to take Sunday duty at Crampsford, setting the stage for his introduction to the Allabys.
- Alethea Pontifex
Alethea is Theobald's youngest sister, mentioned as the only woman he might have liked if she were not his sister.
- Mr. Allaby
Mr. Allaby is the father of the five daughters, whose failing health provides the pretext for Theobald's visits. He suggests the daughters play cards to decide who will marry Theobald.
Key passages
“The result of his experience was that women had never done him any good and he was not accustomed to associate them with any pleasure; if there was a part of Hamlet in connection with them it had been so completely cut out in the edition of the play in which he was required to act that he had come to disbelieve in its existence.”
Theobald's past interactions with women had been so negative that he no longer believed they could bring him any joy, as if the romantic parts of life had been removed from his personal script.
This passage illustrates Theobald's deep-seated awkwardness and lack of experience with women, a key aspect of his character.
“As soon as he was gone, the harmony of the establishment was broken by a storm which arose upon the question which of them it should be who should become Mrs. Pontifex. 'My dears,' said their father, when he saw that they did not seem likely to settle the matter among themselves, 'Wait till tomorrow, and then play at cards for him.'”
After Theobald left, the Allaby sisters argued over who would marry him, and their father jokingly suggested they decide by playing cards.
This reveals the casual and competitive attitude toward marriage in the Allaby household, treating Theobald as a prize to be won.