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Summary
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Vicar of Wakefield, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Humility in the Face of Adversity
The Possibility of Redemption
Family and Society
Equality, Justice, and the Law
Travel, Home, and Belonging
Summary
Analysis
Dr. Primrose believes it to be a man’s duty to marry and raise a family, and quickly after becoming a vicar finds himself a wife. He chooses Mrs. Primrose for her reliability rather than more exciting qualities, but their relationship is happy and stable. The Primroses live in a comfortable house in the country and spend their time visiting and entertaining neighbors and travelers; they are renowned for their gooseberry wine. While they are the victims of petty pranks, the most these incidents do is annoy them.
Dr. Primrose sees being a husband and father as just as essential a part of his societal role as his religious leadership position. Consequently, marrying and having children is a responsibility as much as a choice, and one which a parent should perform prudently and methodically. While Dr. Primrose’s description of his wife appears sarcastic and mocking, it is clear that he is genuinely fond of her, too, and that together they have been able to establish a domestic, pastoral ideal in Wakefield.
Themes
Literary Devices
Dr. Primrose’s children—his sons George, Moses, Dick, and Bill, and his daughters Olivia and Sophia—are his pride and joy and the source of many compliments. Olivia and Sophia are polar opposites—while Olivia is excitable and striving to please, Sophia is serious. Dr. Primrose envisions a scholarly life for George and a career in business to Moses. The entire family, however, all share Primrose’s meek character.
Dr. Primrose’s description of his children establishes their characters and further illuminates his worldview and approach to parenting. To Dr. Primrose, his children are unique individuals with their own personal talents and flaws, but they are also unformed personalities who will be definitively shaped by the instruction they receive.
Themes
Literary Devices
