The Diary · Concepts
Concepts
Ideas that structure The Diary by Samuel Pepys — linked to characters, chapters, and questions.
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The diary chronicles the political machinations surrounding the restoration of the monarchy, including shifting loyalties, secret dealings with the King, and the maneuvering of figures like Monk, the Duke of York, and Lord Chancellor.
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys' work at the Navy Board reveals systemic financial mismanagement, bribery, and the struggle to fund and maintain the fleet, highlighting the gap between official duty and personal gain.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys is acutely aware of social standing, striving to improve his own through patronage, fine clothes, and home improvements, while observing and judging the behavior of nobles, merchants, and servants.
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
The diary explores Pepys' marriage to Elizabeth, his frequent infidelities with servants and actresses, and the double standards of gender, alongside gossip about royal and noble sexual scandals.
Theatre and Public Entertainment
Pepys frequently attends plays, operas, and puppet shows, offering detailed commentary on performances, actors like Nell Gwyn, and the social dynamics of the theatre as a space for leisure and intrigue.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Financial concerns permeate the diary, from Pepys' personal expenses on furniture and gifts to the government's inability to pay sailors, reflecting the precarious economy of Restoration England.
Religion and Sectarian Conflict
The diary records tensions between Anglicans, Presbyterians, Anabaptists, and Catholics, including debates over the Book of Common Prayer, the King's religious policies, and the lingering effects of Puritan rule.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys meticulously documents mundane details of his household—meals, servants, home renovations, health complaints, and family quarrels—providing a vivid portrait of 17th-century domestic existence.
