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Dr. Wortle's School: Week 2: Part III (Chapters 1-3) & Part IV (Chapters 1-3)
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I rather liked how Mr Peacocke dealt with him.
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I was quite surprised by the turn this novel took in this section, and equally surprised by Dr Wortle's generous and principled stand. He had initially come across as a rather pompous man determined to get his own way, but has been revealed instead as someone with rather a soft heart (without understanding what it is like to love someone deeply, it would be hard to sympathize with the Peacockes and not simply say "they should have parted"), and a strong determination to do what he thinks is right, even potentially at the cost of his school.Like Lady Clementina, I was also impressed by Mr Peacocke's immediate refusal to be blackmailed or bullied, knowing full well it would lead to the end of his current situation.
My only surprise was the Robert Lefroy told his tale so quickly-once told it no longer had any value to him (I'm not sure he could have foretold his chance at earning $1000 by proving his brother's current status).
What a great illustration of the nastiness and pettiness of gossip!
Lefroy plays the role of an unusual foil - not in his evil, but in his lying. What can people in a complicated situation do with someone among them stirring the pot this way ? Pay him off to go elsewhere, it seems.
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I hadn't considered that Frances, but you're right--he couldn't have foretold the $1000, but if he got the feeling that Mr Peacocke meant what he said and wasn't going to relent, then the idea may have been to cause all the trouble he could before he left.
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While I was put off by the gossip aspect as I usually am since I don't like spite, but I would agree Trollope captured it pretty perfectly.
Part IIII did expect Dr. Wortle to stand by the Peacockes even though they had committed a ‘sin’ contrary to his church’s doctrine. I am a little concerned that his decision to stand by them seems to take no account of the effect that might have on his wife and daughter if they are ostracised from society.
Nevertheless, like Lady C and Frances I admired the determined stand he took and his decision to act as protector to Mrs. Peacocke. I liked his explanation to the bishop on why he was allowing Mrs. Peacocke to stay in the school house.
People here would have refused to take her,—because of her story. The wife of some religious grocer, who sands his sugar regularly, would have thought her house contaminated by such an inmate.”
He has risked his reputation and continuing profitable livelihood to stand by his principles.
I was disappointed that the dastardly colonel had been offered $1000 to help them find his brother. I hope it will just be a dangled carrot because a man like Lefroy does not deserve to profit from his evil.
Part IV
Reading through this section I began to think that Mrs. Stantiloup was no less evil than Lefroy. So very like a modern politician, to lie unreservedly in order to attain a desired end. That the lies are couched in half truths just increases the deviousness of the woman. Her letter which described almost everybody she met in derogatory terms just summed up her selfishness.
Dr. Wortle’s ‘request/order’ that his wife visit Mrs. Peacocke intrigued me. Mrs. Wortle’s position is fascinating. Publicly she is supporting her husband, but privately she disagrees with him. She also wants to protect her daughter. Her meeting with Mrs. Peacocke is no more than a formality with the latter recognising that Mrs. Wortle is uncomfortable being there. Dr. Wortle thinks that Mrs. Peacocke needs a woman friend, but his wife is reluctant. Would Mary be a better choice or would Mrs. Wortle object to that?
One of the supporting letters to Dr. Wortle“Dear Wortle,—So you are boiling for yourself another pot of hot water. I never saw such a fellow as you are for troubles! Old Mother Shipton has been writing such a letter to our old woman, and explaining that no boy’s soul would any longer be worth looking after if he be left in your hands. Don’t you go and get me into a scrape more than you can help; but you may be quite sure of this that if I had as many sons as Priam I should send them all to you;—only I think that the cheques would be very long in coming.—Yours always, “John Talbot.”
Mother Shipton is well known in Yorkshire and used to have a wider reputation in days gone by. There is still a tourist attraction dedicated to her.
https://www.mothershipton.co.uk/the-s...
To associate Mrs. Stantiloup with ‘Mother Shipton’ is interesting to me because, although her outward appearance was repulsive and she was known as a witch who was responsible for evil occurrences, she also had a reputation for predicting the future.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_...
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I did expect Dr. Wortle to stand by the Peacockes even though they had committed a ‘sin’ contrary to his church’s doctrine. I am a little concerned that his decision to stand by them seem..."
Mary might look on her more kindly perhaps but I don't think her visiting Mrs Peacocke would be good for her socially.
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“Dear Wortle,—So you are boiling for yourself another pot of hot water. I never saw such a fellow as you are for troubles! Old Mother Shipton has been..."
Thanks for sharing that Trev; I was wondering about Mother Shipton but forgot to look it up.
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Regarding Robert Lefroy, I feel he was driven to tell the whole tale out of spite. He could bend neither Mr. Peacock nor Dr. Wortle to his will, so the next best thing was to do what injury he could to them.
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I liked "if the lad turns out a scapegrace, as is like enough, it will be because Mrs. Peacocke had two husbands" :-D (they were talking about the young Momson).In the eyes of people both the Peacockes are guilty because anyway they developed their attachment while they believed that the first husband was alive.
I am now reading part V, catching up!
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In the eyes of people both the Peac..."
That was one of the most hilarious quotes, Daniela. :) I'm glad that you're catching up. It gets pretty exciting in part V.
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A “thank you” goes out to Trev for sharing the links to information about Mother Shipton. I found the subject quite fascinating.
Colonel Robert Lefroy tries blackmail. He threatens Mr. Peacock with exposure if he doesn’t pay him to keep his mouth shut. This, Mr. Peacock flatly refuses. So, Lefroy goes to Dr. Wortle and tells him of Peacock's true position. Dr. Wortle questions Mr. Peacock as to the truth of Lefroy’s account. We learn that although Lefroy has told the true relationship between the Peacocks, he has uttered quite a number of falsehoods as to the circumstances. On learning the full truth, Dr. Wortle offers the hand of Friendship to Mr. Peacock. It was a grand gesture from his side and Mr. Peacock is moved. However, it is clear that Mr. Peacock cannot continue in the establishment, nor can he live there as man and wife. So, Dr. Wortle suggests that Mr. Peacock embark on a journey to America to find the full truth about Ferdinand Lefroy, “Mrs. Peacock’s” former husband. Mrs. Peacock was to be left behind, and Dr. Wortle takes full responsibility upon him to take care of her till Mr. Peacock returns. They then find Robert Lefroy and secures his assistance on their terms in Mr. Peacock’s search for Ferdinand Lefroy. Although he is a scoundrel and isn’t trustworthy, it is evident to both that the man’s assistance is valuable.
Throughout the time of coming to a decision about the Peacocks, Dr. Wortle goes through a moral dilemma. He was torn between his duty to his Parish, his school, his family, and his conscience. Although it was a sin, living as man and wife when their marriage is in doubt, he understands that Peacock couldn’t have done otherwise. He couldn’t have abandoned the woman he loved. And what’s more Dr. Wortle is quite sure he would have done the same given the circumstance. These thoughts move Dr. Wortle to act kindly and sympathetically. But his view is clear "To no one could the presence of either of you be an evil. The evil is, if I may say so, that the two of you should be here together. You should be apart,— till some better day has come upon you." So, Mr. Peacock must leave in search of the truth.
Part IV
Meanwhile, the true relationship of the Peacocks, when known, stirs Bowick. Mrs. Wortle was quite unhappy with Dr. Wortle’s decision to keep “Mrs. Peacock.”. In Mrs. Wortle’s mind, it is Mrs. Peacock who is the greater sinner. “Anything wrong about a man was but of little moment, even though he were a clergyman, but anything wrong about a woman..” seems to be unforgivable to her.
There is also the fear that the school may suffer from Dr. Wortle’s decision to keep “Mrs. Peacock” in the schoolhouse. A Lady Margaret Momsen, whose nephew is a student at Dr.’s school pays a visit to Mrs. Wortle. This Lady Margaret is, unfortunately, a first cousin to Mrs. Stantiloup. She raises questions at the propriety of keeping “Mrs. Peacock” in the schoolhouse and insinuates that many parents will want to take the boys away from such an establishment. Although Mrs. Wortle is thoroughly mortified with Dr. Wortle's decision, she fiercely defends him to Lady Margaret. That makes me think that she has more character to her than we initially thought.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Stantiloup has taken it upon her to discredit Dr. Wortle’s school. She has her own reasons for doing so, holding a grudge against him over a pecuniary lawsuit.
That brings us to the end of this week’s segment. Please share your thoughts.