Previous
Chapter 30
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
Sir William rejects his nephew’s familiar greeting, sternly expressing his disapproval at the way Squire Thornhill has treated the Primroses. He concedes, however, that the Squire was right not to duel George, and he seems convinced by the Squire’s claims that there were only rumors about his tryst with Olivia and by his claim that his steward carried out Dr. Primrose’s imprisonment harshly but entirely legally. The Squire points out the Primrose’s inability to contradict his story and his intention to press full charges against George. Mrs. Primrose begs Sir William to help them, but he seems inclined to believe his nephew. Suddenly Jenkinson enters with Baxter as a prisoner, which seems to frighten the Squire.
The Squire, confronted at last, presents a sharp contrast to the Primroses in the arrogance, elaborate deflections, and excuses with which he responds to his uncle’s accusations. Whether through luck or careful plotting—or the simple benefits of wealth—the Squire does indeed have the law on his side, driving home Dr. Primrose’s earlier reflections on the unfortunate divergence of the law and justice. As on previous occasions, the arrival of an unexpected person (now Baxter) throws the Squire off balance and betrays the true feelings beneath his collected appearance.
Themes
Jenkinson asks the Squire if he is ashamed of his “two old acquaintances,” himself and Baxter, and explains that Baxter has confessed to both dueling George—and claiming, falsely, to be wounded—and kidnapping Sophia, both on the Squire’s behalf. The Squire then planned to appear to rescue Sophia in order to seduce her. Sir William is aghast, but he notes that there is not sufficient evidence to arrest the Squire. The Squire’s butler is brought in, and he confirms the Squire’s history with Baxter, who procured women for him. The butler also reveals that Jenkinson brought the priest who illegitimately married Olivia and the Squire, and Jenkinson confesses. Sir William asks the gaoler to free George at once, and then he requests Olivia’s testimony.
Whereas the help Dr. Primrose willingly offers to others with no chance of personal gain has now returned to him several times, the Squire’s cruelty and selfishness leads his former servants to desert him one after the other as they learn of his crimes. Sir William has George freed because he realizes that following the letter of the law in this case would not be to do justice, given the elaborate machinations of his nephew that led George to commit his crime.
Themes
Dr. Primrose is about to explain that Olivia has died when Miss Wilmot enters—she had been on her way to the wedding when she learned about Dr. Primrose’s imprisonment and stopped to visit him. Dr. Primrose muses on the chain of coincidences that led to her arrival, but also the coincidences that take place constantly in everyday life. Miss Wilmot compliments the Squire on what she thinks is also a charitable visit, but then Sir William explains the truth. Miss Wilmot then reveals that the Squire told her George had married and left for America; at this, Mrs. Primrose tells her that George will never love another woman but her. George enters, no longer in fetters, and Miss Wilmot confesses her love for him too. Moses quickly goes to inform Mr. Wilmot of the situation and bring him to the prison
Miss Wilmot, unaware of what has happened, comes to the prison only to see Dr. Primrose, with whom she deeply sympathizes, proving her fundamental goodness. Her reaction to the revelations of what her fiancée has done likewise attests to her character. In professing her love for George, she opens up the possibility that the Primroses and the Wilmots can redeem the first great mistake of the novel through the power of love. Dr. Primrose’s reflections on coincidence further emphasize the role of fate in the novel, as both incomprehensible to human reason and something that must be trusted as expressing the will of God.
Themes
The Squire, however, has already taken possession of Miss Wilmot’s fortune as part of the engagement. Nevertheless, Miss Wilmot says she would rather lose her fortune and marry George, and he happily agrees. Mr. Wilmot, however, is dismayed by the loss of his fortune, and Sir William scolds him for his greed and encourages him to acceptance George as her husband. Mr. Wilmot agrees, asking only that if Dr. Primrose ever recovers his fortune he pay a 6,000-pound dowry, which Dr. Primrose accepts. Jenkinson arrives just then and asks how the fortune can be the Squire’s if the Squire is already married. The Squire replies that he has never legally married another woman. Jenkinson leaves, promising to be back in a moment.
The Squire’s seizure of the Wilmot fortune provides yet another example of someone manipulating the law for unjust ends. In accepting the loss of her fortune, however, Miss Wilmot demonstrates the same kind of humility that Dr. Primrose has striven to embody, a testament to her character. Sir William’s scolding of Mr. Wilmot isn’t intended to punish him—it’s meant to offer him a chance of redemption by following his daughter’s example and letting go of his greed. Jenkinson’s cryptic pronouncement suggests that the law is not entirely the Squire’s to manipulate, however.
Themes
Get the entire The Vicar of Wakefield LitChart as a printable PDF.
Jenkinson returns with Olivia, who is actually still alive. He also has the license for her marriage to the Squire, which is in fact legitimate; Jenkinson, seeking future blackmail against the Squire, secretly brought him a real priest to perform their marriage. Olivia is restored to honor, and everyone rejoices. Jenkinson explains to Dr. Primrose that he convinced the family to tell Dr. Primrose that Olivia was dead, hoping it would convince him to submit to the Squire and hopefully secure his release from prison, and there had not yet been an opportunity to reveal the scheme. The Squire then begs his uncle for forgiveness, which Sir William is not inclined to grant him until Dr. Primrose asks him to; Sir William then agrees to give his nephew a small allowance, and the fortune will instead go to Olivia, his wife.
Jenkinson’s revelation not only redeems Olivia’s honor but his own, turning what was an immoral act of blackmail into an act of heroism, saving the day for both the Primroses and the Wilmots. The Squire’s attempt to beg for forgiveness is clearly not genuine, coming only when he has no other options. Still, Primrose convinces Sir William to offer the Squire forgiveness in order to counter the Squire’s immorality with kind, moral justice with an eye toward reforming the Squire.
Themes
Everyone congratulates Olivia, and only Sophia seems unhappy. Sir William suggests that, as a reward, Jenkinson should marry Sophia. Sophia refuses this proposal, and so Sir William decides that he will marry her himself, revealing that his suggestion was merely another ruse. To Jenkinson, however, he will provide a small fortune of 500 pounds. Dr. Primrose is released, and Sir William and Mr. Wilmot distribute money amongst the prisoners, too. After a celebratory dinner, Dr. Primrose wants to be alone, leaving the company to pray for the joy and the sorrow he has experienced, and sleeps soundly once again.
Sir William’s suggestion that Sophia marry Jenkinson, while jarring and unexpected, is quickly revealed to be another of his tricks—and perhaps another test of Sophia’s love for him. The reward Sir William gives to Jenkinson proves the value one may find in giving up a life of crime and redeeming oneself, and ideally the donations the other prisoners receive will encourage them to do the same. Dr. Primrose, having thanked God for his family’s deliverance, sleeps soundly once again—something he has been able to do throughout the novel’s tumultuous events precisely because he never abandoned his principles.
Themes
