The Damnation of Theron Ware · Chapter
XVI explained
Theron wakes after fainting at the revival, feeling annoyed with Alice and relieved to be ill.
What happens
Theron wakes after fainting at the revival, feeling annoyed with Alice and relieved to be ill. Sister Soulsby instructs him to attend the trustees' meeting and side with Pierce and Winch. At the meeting, Gorringe reveals that Winch's pledge was based on a mistaken belief of profit, and Pierce moves to release Winch from his pledge. Gorringe protests Winch's vote, creating a tie that Theron must break; Theron votes aye, siding with the trustees against Gorringe.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this passage, Theron reaches his emotional and psychological peak by idolizing the kiss as a divine, all-co…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Corruption and Manipulation
Sister Soulsby manipulates the Quarterly Conference and instructs Theron to side with Pierce and Winch; the trustees use procedural tactics to release Winch from his pledge.
- Class and Social Mobility
The power of mortgage-owning trustees over the minister highlights class dynamics; Winch's pledge is tied to his business dealings.
Characters to notice
- Theron Ware
Feels faint and weary, annoyed with Alice, and reluctantly follows Sister Soulsby's instructions to attend the trustees' meeting, where he votes to release Winch from his pledge.
- Alice Ware
Dresses and leaves before Theron wakes; he is annoyed by her behavior at the revival and avoids discussing it with her.
- Sister Soulsby
Instructs Theron to attend the trustees' meeting and side with Pierce and Winch; she had earlier manipulated the Quarterly Conference to increase Theron's salary.
- Levi Gorringe
Reads the debt-raising report, protests Winch's vote, and looks at Theron with satirical contempt; Theron feels fierce dislike toward him.
- Erastus Winch
Pledged $425 under a misapprehension of profit; Pierce moves to release him, and Theron votes aye.
- Brother Pierce
Senior trustee who moves to release Winch from his pledge and insists on hearing the names of subscribers.
Key passages
“Theron sat languidly at the head of the table while these commonplace matters passed in their course, noting the intonations of Gorringe’s voice as he read from his secretary’s book, and finding his ear displeased by them.”
Theron sat listlessly at the head of the table as routine business was conducted, irritated by the sound of Gorringe's voice.
Shows Theron's growing antipathy toward Gorringe and his disengagement from church affairs.
“I vote no, and it’s a tie. It rests with the chairman now to cast the deciding vote, and say whether this interesting arrangement shall go through or not.”
Gorringe votes no, creating a tie, and tells Theron he must decide whether to release Winch from his pledge.
Highlights the procedural conflict and Theron's pivotal role in siding with the trustees.
