V: Discord explained

What happens

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Climax.

Themes in this chapter

• Loyalty and Betrayal

  Christopher's loyalty to Roxhythe is shattered, and he finds betrayal in both Shaftesbury's manipulation of the Plot and the Country Party's secret dealings with France.

• Political Intrigue and Espionage

  Roxhythe's failed mission to France, Charles's secret bargains, and the Country Party's communications with Barillon highlight pervasive espionage and double-dealing.

• Power and Ambition

  Shaftesbury uses the Popish Plot to advance his political agenda; Louis XIV manipulates English factions to weaken England.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  The Country Party appears patriotic but secretly allies with France; Shaftesbury feigns belief in Oates's lies to achieve his ends.

Characters to notice

• Lord Roxhythe

  Sent to Paris to placate Louis XIV after the royal marriage; fails in his mission and is discredited with the French king.

• King Charles II

  Busy managing foreign relations; sends Roxhythe to France, negotiates secretly with Louis, and withdraws troops from Holland, amused by the diplomatic chaos.

• Christopher Dart

  Deeply unhappy after breaking with Roxhythe; serves Shaftesbury and then Worth, but resigns from both due to moral conflicts; yearns to return to Roxhythe.

• Lord Ashley-Cooper

  Hires Christopher as secretary; exploits the Titus Oates Plot for political ends, feigning belief in the conspiracy to attack Catholics and the Duke of York.

• Richard Worth

  Christopher's employer after leaving Shaftesbury; involved in the Country Party's secret communications with France, leading Christopher to resign.

• William of Orange

  Marries Lady Mary; triumphs partially in the peace negotiations, keeping Holland inviolate.

• Titus Oates

  Instigator of the Popish Plot; his false testimony leads to the persecution and execution of Catholics.

• M. Barillon

  French Ambassador; distressed by the royal marriage and recalled after Danby's firm stance against France.

Key passages

• “Until now Christopher’s life had been placid and well ordered, filled with a great love. All this had been torn suddenly from him. Roxhythe had been his anchor; he had leant on him more than he knew. Now the support was gone, and he stood alone.”

  Christopher's previously stable and loving life has been destroyed by his separation from Roxhythe, who was his emotional foundation; now he feels isolated and adrift.

  Highlights Christopher's emotional devastation and dependence on Roxhythe.

• “He had thought to find peace with Worth, working for his country. That too was swept away. Life seemed to him a giant discord; a mass of complexities and unhappiness.”

  Christopher believed working with Worth would bring him peace and purpose, but that hope was also destroyed, leaving him feeling that life is chaotic and miserable.

  Shows Christopher's repeated disillusionment and growing despair.

• “He began, slowly, to realize that Shaftesbury believed in the truth of the plot no more than he did himself, but was merely feigning belief the better to attain his own ends.”

  Christopher gradually understood that Shaftesbury did not actually believe the Popish Plot was real, but pretended to in order to further his political goals.

  Reveals Shaftesbury's cynical manipulation of the Plot for personal ambition.

• “When he realized that Louis and the Country Party were virtually in league against England, he was at first staggered by the shock. That the Country Party did not themselves realize this he fully acknowledged, but the fact that they should descend to communication with an openly enemy country against their own King filled him with sick disgust.”

  Christopher was shocked to discover that the Country Party was effectively allied with France against England, even if unwittingly, and he was disgusted by their treasonous communications.

  Illustrates Christopher's moral crisis and the theme of political betrayal.