The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
XLIII explained
Theobald makes a special journey to Roughborough before the school term, and Ernest is subjected to unprecedented punishments by Dr.
What happens
Theobald makes a special journey to Roughborough before the school term, and Ernest is subjected to unprecedented punishments by Dr. Skinner for his confession about the watch and Ellen. The head boys initially consider action but Ernest confesses to them, omitting the school list, and gains some leniency. As the term progresses, Ernest's spirits revive, and he participates in a Guy Fawkes effigy burning of his father. He is confirmed by the bishop on the same day, but the effect wears off quickly. The chapter also describes how the 'Mother Cross row' leads to head boys running errands for younger students.
Themes in this chapter
Parental Tyranny and Filial Rebellion
Theobald's oppressive control over Ernest and Ernest's eventual participation in the effigy burning of his father illustrate the theme of rebellion against parental authority.
Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality
Ernest discovers that his supposedly immaculate parents are 'no better than they should be,' highlighting the hypocrisy of Victorian moral standards.
Education and Indoctrination
Dr. Skinner's harsh punishments and the school's disciplinary system reflect the indoctrination and rigid education of the time.
Characters to notice
- Ernest Pontifex
Ernest is the central figure, suffering punishments from Dr. Skinner, confessing to the head boys, participating in the effigy burning, and being confirmed.
- Theobald Pontifex
Theobald makes a special journey to Roughborough, hands over a school list to Dr. Skinner, and later refuses to intervene on Ernest's behalf.
- Dr. Skinner
Dr. Skinner imposes severe punishments on Ernest, excommunicates Mrs. Cross's and Mrs. Jones's shops, and burns Theobald's school list.
- Mrs. Cross
Her shop is declared out of bounds, leading to the 'Mother Cross row' and indignation among the boys.
- Mrs. Jones
Her shop is also declared out of bounds in the same crackdown.
Key passages
“He says he ought to have run away from home. But what good could he have done if he had? He would have been caught, brought back and examined two days later instead of two days earlier.”
Ernest later believes he should have run away, but reflects that it would have only delayed the inevitable confrontation.
Ernest's retrospective regret about not fleeing his oppressive home situation.
“He felt that he had arrived at one of the great turning points of his life, and that the Ernest of the future could resemble only very faintly the Ernest of the past.”
Ernest felt that his confirmation marked a major transformation in his life, making him a different person.
Ernest's emotional response to the confirmation ceremony.