Previous
Chapter 29
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
The sermon concludes, and George is moved to his own cell. However, the gaoler says they will allow him to visit Dr. Primrose every day. Jenkinson then tells Dr. Primrose he has heard news of Sophia, who was seen with a stranger on the way back to town. Suddenly Sophia enters, together with Mr. Burchell. The Primroses thank Burchell and apologize for the way they treated him, which he does not hold against them. Sophia explains the story of her escape: the still unknown gentlemen took her into their post chaise, but she saw Burchell walking nearby and cried out for help; he then successfully fought off her kidnappers, but they were able to escape on foot. Dr. Primrose praises Burchell’s heroism and offers Sophia’s hand in marriage to him, despite Burchell’s poverty. Burchell does not answer, however, and instead orders food and wine from the nearest inn.
The gaoler’s continued kindness to Dr. Primrose affirms that the justice system is reformable and that dispensing justice with kindness is a very real possibility. The arrival of Sophia with Mr. Burchell, however, upends Dr. Primrose’s despair and acceptance. Now it is the Primroses’ turn to ask for forgiveness, which Mr. Burchell grants them as readily as Dr. Primrose has to others. Having learned his lesson from the family’s disastrous attempts to position their daughters to “marry well,” Dr. Primrose resolves not to let slip the opportunity to offer Sophia to Mr. Burchell, an honorable, righteous man.
Themes
Though he does not want to dampen her spirits, Dr. Primrose tells Sophia what has happened to George. George enters the room and stares at Mr. Burchell in wonder. Burchell turns to George and chastises him for once again committing “the same crime,” but is interrupted by the gaoler telling Burchell that a distinguished person has arrived and wishes to see him; Burchell tells him to wait. Burchell then continues to scold George for dueling, until Dr. Primrose explains that George did so on Mrs. Primrose’s behalf, showing him the letter. Burchell concedes that this is at least a partial excuse, and he forgives him. He then reveals that he has come to seek justice for Dr. Primrose—and he is in fact none other than Sir William Thornhill.
In confronting George, Mr. Burchell finally reveals himself to be Sir William. Here he once again shows himself to be a kindred spirit to Dr. Primrose on the matter of justice, tempering his anger at George for committing the crime of dueling when he learns of George’s motivations, which explain if not justify his actions.
Themes
The Primroses are astounded, but Sir William returns to the subject of Sophia’s kidnapper. She describes the man as a long-legged redhead; Jenkinson recognizes him as Timothy Baxter and moreover knows where he is hiding. At Sir William’s request, the gaoler allows Jenkinson and two officers to go after Baxter. Sir William then plays with Dick and Bill and dines with the Primroses; later, he prepares a treatment for Dr. Primrose’s arm. The party then receives news that Squire Thornhill has arrived.
Jenkinson continues to redeem himself, using his own underworld past to offer the Primroses a chance at capturing Sophia’s abductor that they never would have had otherwise. Had Jenkinson always been good, there would have been no such opportunity to capture Baxter, echoing Dr. Primrose’s earlier assertions that a redemptive sinner is worth far more than a perfectly righteous individual.
Themes
