# XXXVIII explained — The Way of All Flesh

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

## What happens

Ernest returns home for the holidays already in disgrace, but a more serious incident unfolds when he discovers that the pretty housemaid Ellen, with whom he has formed a platonic friendship, is pregnant. Dr. Martin reveals her condition, and Christina and Theobald, panicked by the moral threat, immediately dismiss her from the house.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality

Christina and Theobald's swift, harsh dismissal of Ellen, driven by fear of moral contamination, contrasts with their earlier professed care for her spiritual welfare.

### Money and Social Class

Ellen's low status as a servant makes her expendable; the Pontifexes exercise power over her life with no concern for her future.

## Character check-ins

### Ernest Pontifex

Returns home in disgrace; forms a platonic friendship with Ellen, enjoying morning piano sessions with her; is shocked by her sudden illness and later her dismissal.

### Ellen

A pretty Devonshire housemaid at the Rectory; becomes pregnant and is discovered by Dr. Martin; is promptly dismissed by Theobald and Christina.

### Christina Pontifex

Takes a warm interest in Ellen, preparing her for confirmation; upon learning of Ellen's pregnancy, panics and insists on immediate dismissal, briefly suspecting Ernest before dismissing the idea.

### Theobald Pontifex

Agrees with Christina that Ellen must be sent away immediately after the discovery of her pregnancy.

### Dr. Martin

Called to examine Ellen; discovers her pregnancy and informs the Pontifexes.

## Key lines

> Ernest was thus in disgrace from the beginning of the holidays, but an incident soon occurred which led him into delinquencies compared with which all his previous sins were venial.

Ernest started the holidays already out of favor, but a new event soon made his earlier misdeeds seem minor.

_Sets up the gravity of the Ellen affair relative to Ernest's past behavior._

> When it was discovered that in three or four months more Ellen would become a mother, Christina's natural good nature would have prompted her to deal as leniently with the case as she could, if she had not been panic-stricken lest any mercy on her and Theobald's part should be construed into toleration, however partial, of so great a sin.

Christina's instinct to be kind was overridden by her fear that showing mercy would be seen as condoning sin.

_Highlights the conflict between natural compassion and social/religious pressure._

## Links

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