The Way of All Flesh · Chapter
Chapter XVIII explained
Theobald receives a congratulatory letter from his father, George Pontifex, who announces his intention to be godfather to the newborn boy and brings a phial of water from the Jordan for the christening.
What happens
Theobald receives a congratulatory letter from his father, George Pontifex, who announces his intention to be godfather to the newborn boy and brings a phial of water from the Jordan for the christening. The family gathers for the baptism, where the boy is named Ernest over Theobald's objection. The narrator, Overton, serves as second godfather and reconnects with Alethea Pontifex, whom he admires deeply. At the christening dinner, George Pontifex loses his temper over a lobster sauce made with a hen lobster instead of a cock, but recovers and tells stories. Later, Overton visits and finds George Pontifex ill and irritable.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality
George Pontifex presents a benevolent, pious facade but reveals petty anger over a culinary mistake, exposing the gap between his moral posturing and true character.
Heredity and Environment
The chapter emphasizes the influence of family and naming (Ernest) on the child's future, as well as the inherited temper and expectations from George Pontifex.
Characters to notice
- Theobald Pontifex
Receives his father's approval and letter; proposes naming his son George but is overruled.
- George Pontifex
Writes a cordial letter, brings Jordan water for the christening, insists on the name Ernest, and loses his temper over the lobster sauce.
- Alethea Pontifex
Attends as godmother; described as the flower of the family; Overton's close friend and unrequited love.
- Christina Pontifex
Hosts the christening dinner; is hissed at by her father-in-law over the lobster sauce.
- Ernest Pontifex
The infant being christened; named Ernest by his grandfather.
- Mr. Overton
Narrator and second godfather; reconnects with Alethea; reflects on his feelings for her.
Key passages
“The word 'earnest' was just beginning to come into fashion, and he thought the possession of such a name might, like his having been baptised in water from the Jordan, have a permanent effect upon the boy's character, and influence him for good during the more critical periods of his life.”
George believed that naming the boy 'Ernest' would shape his moral character, just as using holy water might bless his future.
Reflects the Victorian belief in the power of names and rituals to determine a child's destiny.
“It was not made with a hen lobster. What's the use of my calling the boy Ernest, and getting him christened in water from the Jordan, if his own father does not know a cock from a hen lobster?”
George angrily scolds Theobald for using a female lobster in the sauce, sarcastically questioning the value of his pious efforts if his son lacks basic culinary knowledge.
Highlights the absurdity of George's priorities and his hypocritical blend of piety and petty irritation.