The Vicar of Wakefield Term Analysis

Vicar

In the Anglican Church, a vicar is a type of parish priest. During the period in which The Vicar of Wakefield is set, vicars were distinguished from other parish priests by their receiving only the… read analysis of Vicar

Limner

While the term “limner” often describes illuminators of manuscripts, it is also a general term for an ornamental painter; it is the latter kind who paints the Primroses’ portrait. Limners in the 18th century were… read analysis of Limner

Jesuitism

Jesuitism is the religious practice and philosophy of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order. Because of their influence, conspiracy theories about the Jesuits abounded throughout Europe. To opponents of Jesuitism… read analysis of Jesuitism

Grub-street

Grub-street is a pejorative descriptor for describe hack writers and their work of low artistic or literary value. The term is derived from the eponymous Grub Street in London, which was the center of the… read analysis of Grub-street

Officer’s Commission

An officer’s commission is a position of higher rank in the British army purchased with a cash bond, skipping the lower ranks entirely. The practice of purchasing commissions was in place from the 17th through… read analysis of Officer’s Commission

Gaol

Gaol is a British spelling for jail. In the 18th century, the modern distinction between jail and prison had yet to be established. read analysis of Gaol

Tobacco Stopper

A tobacco stopper is an instrument used to press down tobacco in a pipe. While imprisoned, Dr. Primrose encourages his fellow prisoners to turn their hobby of carving tobacco stoppers into a business as part… read analysis of Tobacco Stopper