# Chapter XXII explained — The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

> Chapter companion for The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne.

## What happens

Tristram defends his digressive style, arguing that his digressions are skillfully woven into the main narrative so that the story progresses even while he appears to wander. He compares his method to planetary motion and declares digressions the life and soul of reading.

## Themes in this chapter

### Digression and Narrative Form

Tristram explicitly discusses his technique of intertwining digressive and progressive movements, comparing it to planetary orbits and defending it as essential to the work's vitality.

## Character check-ins

### Uncle Toby

Tristram mentions he was about to draw the great outlines of Uncle Toby's character before being led astray by the story of Aunt Dinah.

### Dinah

Referenced as 'Aunt Dinah' whose story with the coachman caused a digression into the planetary system.

## Key lines

> That it is an abominable thing for a man to commend himself;

Bishop Hall says it is terrible for a person to praise himself.

_Tristram cites Hall's moral stance against self-praise, then playfully subverts it by defending his own self-commendation for digressive skill._

> Digressions, incontestably, are the sunshine; they are the life, the soul of reading!

Digressions are undeniably the bright, vital essence of reading.

_Tristram passionately argues that digressions animate the text, without which the book would be lifeless._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters/xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tristram_shandy_se/chapters