# XL: “Unanimity Is the Very Soul of These Things.” explained — The Way We Live Now

> Chapter companion for The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Paul Montague meets with Augustus Melmotte, who pressures him to be unanimous in the railway board's decisions, offering him a trip to California or a buyout of his shares. Melmotte also invites him to a grand dinner, but Paul refuses the bribe. Later, Paul receives a note from Mrs. Hurtle, shortening his reprieve.

## Themes in this chapter

### Speculation and Ruin

Melmotte warns of ruining widows and children if shares fall, highlighting the fragility of credit.

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Melmotte preaches unanimity while offering bribes and concealing the true state of the railway.

### Social Mobility and Class

Melmotte's dinner invitations and house rental from Longestaffe illustrate social climbing.

## Character check-ins

### Paul Montague

Confronted by Melmotte about unanimity on the board; offered a trip to California or a buyout; refuses dinner ticket.

### Augustus Melmotte

Pressures Paul for unanimity, offers a bribe of a dinner ticket, and discusses the railway scheme.

### Mrs. Hurtle

Sends a note to Paul expecting him the next day, ending his reprieve.

### Roger Carbury

Mentioned indirectly as part of the Carbury family; not directly present.

### Hetta Carbury

Recalled by Paul as he danced with her at Melmotte's ball.

### Mr. Cohenlupe

Mentioned by Melmotte as a director with experience in Parliament.

### Lord Alfred Grendall

Mentioned by Melmotte as a director who sees further than Paul credits.

### Ezekiel Brehgert

Mentioned as having met with Melmotte about the Moldavian loan.

## Key lines

> Unanimity is the very soul of these things;—the very soul, Mr. Montague.

Melmotte insists that total agreement among directors is essential for the railway's success.

_Melmotte's repeated emphasis on unanimity reveals his desire to control the board._

> We mustn’t ruin widows and children, Mr. Montague. We mustn’t let those shares run down 20 below par for a mere chimera.

Melmotte argues that dissent could cause a catastrophic drop in share prices, harming innocent investors.

_Melmotte uses the threat of financial ruin to pressure Paul into compliance._

> I’ve got a ticket I can let you have. You know how they’re run after.

Melmotte offers Paul a highly sought-after dinner ticket as a bribe.

_The dinner ticket is a transparent attempt to win Paul's loyalty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xl-unanimity-is-the-very-soul-of-these-things
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters