# I explained — Vile Bodies

> Chapter companion for Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh.

## What happens

The chapter opens on a rough Channel crossing from France to England. Among the passengers are Mrs. Melrose Ape and her angels, the Bright Young People (including Miss Runcible and Miles Malpractice), two tipsy old ladies (Lady Throbbing and Mrs. Blackwater), and the Jesuit Father Rothschild. Adam Fenwick-Symes boards at the last moment, returning from Paris after writing a book and getting engaged. Mrs. Ape leads the seasick passengers in a hymn, collecting money afterward. Father Rothschild warns Adam about Mrs. Ape and mentions a future meeting at Lady Metroland's.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion as Commerce

Mrs. Ape treats salvation as a commodity, collecting money after the hymn and stating that free salvation doesn't do as much good.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Vacuity

The passengers' superficial concerns (gossip, seasickness, social appearances) contrast with Mrs. Ape's religious performance.

## Character check-ins

### Adam Fenwick-Symes

Boards the ship at the last moment, returning from Paris after writing a book and getting engaged. Father Rothschild speaks to him.

### Father Rothschild S.J.

A Jesuit passenger who recognizes Adam, warns him about Mrs. Ape, and mentions Lady Metroland's party.

### Mrs. Melrose Ape

An evangelist leading a group of angels; she leads the seasick passengers in a hymn and collects money afterward.

### Miss Runcible

One of the Bright Young People, seasick and commenting on the experience.

### Miles Malpractice

One of the Bright Young People, compares the ship's motion to a cocktail shaker.

### Lady Throbbing

A tipsy old lady passenger, gossiping with Mrs. Blackwater about Mr. Outrage and the late Prime Minister.

## Key lines

> Salvation doesn’t do them the same good if they think it’s free.

Mrs. Ape believes that people value salvation more if they pay for it.

_Illustrates the theme of religion as commerce._

> It's just exactly like being inside a cocktail shaker.

Miles Malpractice compares the ship's violent motion to being shaken in a cocktail shaker.

_Shows the Bright Young People's flippant attitude even in discomfort._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vile_bodies_se/chapters/i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vile_bodies_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vile_bodies_se/chapters