The Vicar of Wakefield · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
George Primrose recounts his misadventures after leaving home, including his failed attempts to secure patronage, his near-indenture to Mr.
What happens
George Primrose recounts his misadventures after leaving home, including his failed attempts to secure patronage, his near-indenture to Mr. Cripse for transportation to America, a scheme to teach English in Holland that fails because he cannot speak Dutch, a journey to Louvain to teach Greek, his struggles as a disappointed author in London, and his eventual reunion with his old friend Ned Thornhill, who employs him as a companion and for whom he fights a duel. Thornhill then recommends him to his uncle, Sir William Thornhill, and another nobleman.
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
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it captures the emotional and psychological peak of the Vicar’s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Social Class and Wealth
George's experiences highlight the vast gap between the wealthy nobility and the desperate poor, as seen in his attempts to gain patronage and his near-indenture.
- Deception and Appearance
Mr. Cripse's false promises, the captain's misleading advice about teaching Dutch, and George's own self-deception about his schemes all illustrate the theme of appearances versus reality.
- Hypocrisy and Morality
Sir William Thornhill's rebuke of George for being the instrument of his nephew's vices, while George himself fights a duel for Thornhill, underscores moral hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- George Primrose
Narrates his own story of failed schemes, poverty, and service to Mr. Thornhill.
- Sir William Thornhill
Receives George's recommendatory letter but rebukes him for being the instrument of his nephew's vices.
- Mr. Thornhill
Referred to as Ned Thornhill, George's old university friend and patron who employs him and later recommends him to his uncle.
- Mr. Cripse
Office-keeper who offers to transport subjects to America as slaves; George nearly signs with him.
- Mrs. Arnold
Interjects to express surprise that Mr. Thornhill is the narrator's neighbor and mentions Thornhill is a family friend.
Key passages
“I was received by his servants with the most hospitable smiles; for the looks of the domestics ever transmit their master’s benevolence.”
The servants' welcoming expressions reflected the kindness of their master.
George observes that a master's character is visible in his servants' behavior.
“I fairly, therefore, divided my half guinea, one half of which went to be added to his thirty thousand pound, and with the other half I resolved to go to the next tavern, to be there more happy than he.”
I split my last half-guinea, giving half to Mr. Cripse to add to his fortune, and planned to spend the other half at a tavern, hoping to find more happiness there than he had.
George's cynical decision to waste his money rather than trust the office-keeper.
“I found that no genius in another could please me. My unfortunate paradoxes had entirely dried up that source of comfort.”
I could no longer enjoy the work of other talented writers because my own contradictory ideas had ruined that pleasure for me.
George describes the bitterness of a disappointed author.
