Previous
Chapter 7
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
Mr. Burchell returns the next day; now, however, he begins to annoy Dr. Primrose, especially in his behavior toward Sophia. Sophia and Moses argue about poetry and aesthetic taste, comparing Gay, Pope, and Ovid, and Burchell takes issue with both of their examples, instead presenting a ballad of his own. In Burchell’s ballad, a hermit learns of a young man named Edwin’s spurned love, Angelina, and eventually reunites the two.
Despite his attempts to live morally, even Dr. Primrose’s hospitality has limits, and he begins to find them tested by Mr. Burchell. Though Burchell has not in fact done anything wrong, the discussion on all sides of marrying off the Primrose daughters inclines Dr. Primrose to paranoia, and he begins to see Burchell as a threat. Burchell’s ballad and strong opinions on art continue to suggest that there are hidden dimensions to his character of which the Primroses are not aware.
Themes
The family’s conversation is interrupted by a gunshot nearby—the Squire is hunting again—and Sophia throws herself into Burchell’s arms in fright. The Squire’s chaplain gives Sophia his catch, which she accepts at Mrs. Primrose’s urging. The chaplain tells them the Squire intends to host a ball for them that evening. He also asks to dance with Sophia, who refuses in favor of Burchell; Burchell, however, resolves to depart that evening instead, confounding Dr. Primrose.
As Burchell’s romance with Sophia continues to develop, so too does Dr. and Mrs. Primrose’s suspicious attitude toward him. As much as he would refuse to admit it, in part this is because Dr. Primrose has also been taken in by the dream of his daughters marrying well, and he sees Burchell as a threat to that dream.
Themes
