The Rector and The Doctor’s Family · Question
How does The Rector and The Doctor’s Family develop the theme of Duty vs. Personal Inclination?
Answer
The Rector and The Doctor’s Family by Margaret Oliphant develops Duty vs. Personal Inclination across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Characters struggle between fulfilling societal or familial duties and following their own desires, exemplified by the Rector's inability to perform parish work despite his role, and Nettie's self-imposed burden of caring for her sister's family against her own wishes.
Mr. Proctor's internal conflict between his sense of duty as a rector and his personal feelings of inadequacy and desire to resign.
The Rector's longing for the scholarly solitude of All Souls contrasts with his pastoral duties and his mother's insistence on settling down.
The Rector is torn between his duty to his parish and his longing for the scholarly peace of All Souls, further complicated by his filial duty to his mother.
Evidence in the book
- The Rector
Mr. Proctor's internal conflict between his sense of duty as a rector and his personal feelings of inadequacy and desire to resign.
- Chapter II
The Rector's longing for the scholarly solitude of All Souls contrasts with his pastoral duties and his mother's insistence on settling down.
- III
The Rector is torn between his duty to his parish and his longing for the scholarly peace of All Souls, further complicated by his filial duty to his mother.
- IV
The Rector is torn between his sense of duty to his parish and his personal inability to perform the pastoral work expected of him, leading to a crisis of conscience.
- Chapter II
Dr. Rider wrestles with his reluctance to be involved in Fred's family troubles versus his sense of obligation and curiosity.
- Chapter VII
Dr. Rider abandons his patient to drive Nettie to Carlingford, torn between professional duty and personal desire.
- Chapter VIII
Nettie chooses her duty to Fred's children over her personal feelings for Dr. Rider, highlighting the conflict between obligation and desire.
- XIII
Nettie's conflict between her sense of duty to care for Susan and the children and her personal desire for a life with Dr. Rider.
