XLIV: Mrs. Hinijer Acts explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Hypocrisy and Conformity

  Mrs. Hinijer's complaints about the Angel's manners highlight the rigid social expectations and hypocrisy of the household staff and village.

• Class Division and Exploitation

  The Vicar's deference to his housekeeper and the bishop's letter illustrate class pressures and the exploitation of social standing.

Characters to notice

• Mrs. Hinijer

  Confronts the Vicar, listing the Angel's social failings and demanding his removal.

• The Vicar

  Already distressed by a bishop's letter, he reluctantly agrees to the Angel's departure.

• The Angel

  Discussed as the subject of Mrs. Hinijer's complaints; his behavior is criticized.

Key passages

• “But when a party goes turning vegetarian suddenly and putting out all the cooking, and hasn't no proper luggage of his own, and borry's shirts and socks from his 'ost, and don't know no better than to try his knife at peas (as I seed my very self), and goes talking in odd corners to the housemaids, and folds up his napkin after meals, and eats with his fingers at minced veal, and plays the fiddle in the middle of the night keeping everybody awake, and stares and grins at his elders a-getting upstairs, and generally misconducts himself with things that I can scarcely tell you all, one can't help thinking, sir.”

  Mrs. Hinijer lists the Angel's many social faux pas, from vegetarianism and borrowing clothes to poor table manners and disruptive behavior, as evidence that he is not a gentleman.

  Highlights the domestic and social grievances that lead to the Angel's expulsion.