The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane · Chapter
The Reverend Thomas Broad’s Exposition of Romans 8:7 explained
Thomas Broad, a newly minted student minister, visits the Coleman household and preaches his first sermon to an indifferent rural congregation.
What happens
Thomas Broad, a newly minted student minister, visits the Coleman household and preaches his first sermon to an indifferent rural congregation. During his visit, he makes inappropriate advances toward Pauline, who rebuffs him by cutting a cross into his hand with scissors. The chapter contrasts Broad's self-satisfied piety with the empty spiritual lives of his listeners and highlights Pauline's fierce independence.
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
The "Endnotes" chapter serves as the story's dramatic climax because it presents a direct, intertextual call t…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Religion and Hypocrisy
Thomas Broad's self-congratulation and empty sermonizing contrast with his predatory behavior, exposing the hypocrisy of religious authority.
- The Role of Women
Pauline's decisive and physical rejection of Broad's advances asserts her agency and challenges the era's expectations of female passivity.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Broad
Visits the Coleman household after preaching his first sermon; makes unwanted advances toward Pauline.
- Pauline
Receives Thomas Broad; defends herself from his advances by cutting a cross into his hand.
- Zachariah Coleman
Absent during the visit; Pauline later tells him about the encounter.
Key passages
“The carnal mind is at enmity with God.”
The natural human mindset is hostile to God.
Text of Thomas Broad's first sermon, from Romans 8:7.
“Neither indeed can be.”
It is impossible for the carnal mind to submit to God's law.
Broad's added 'head' to his sermon, emphasizing the impossibility of the carnal mind obeying God.
