The Way of All Flesh
The son of George Pontifex, subjected to a repressive upbringing, later attends Cambridge and marries Christina Allaby.
Chapter I
Not directly present in the chapter, but the narrator's father is the rector of Paleham, and the Pontifex family is introduced.
III
One of the five Pontifex grandchildren visiting Paleham; born in 1802; remembered for beating his nurse and teasing her.
IV
Inherits two copies of Italian paintings from his father and defends them as evidence of his father's taste.
Chapter V
Mentioned as George's second son, described as idle and at times far from truthful, causing his father unease.
VI
Theobald is one of the sons subjected to his father's lectures and thrashings, though the chapter notes the Pontifex children were relatively fortunate compared to others.
VII
Theobald is depicted as timid, reserved, and indolent, silently acquiescing to his father's plan for him to become a clergyman, with no real power to oppose.
Chapter VIII
Writes letters expressing doubt about ordination, ultimately submits to his father's will and is ordained.
IX
Discussed as a potential candidate for a curate position and as a husband for one of the Allaby daughters.
Theobald's Courtship and the Allaby Family
Theobald, a shy and inexperienced clergyman, is the target of a matrimonial scheme by the Allaby family and Mrs. Cowey. He is awkward with women but begins to feel appreciated by the Allabys.
The Courtship of Theobald and Christina
Theobald is the hesitant suitor, coached by his pupil and manipulated by the Allaby family. He eventually proposes via letter, inventing a past love to excuse his lack of fervor.
XII
Secretive and repressed, he keeps his father's opposition to his engagement hidden. He is dull, self-approving, and unquestioningly devout.
The Honeymoon Journey
Theobald is anxious and fearful after the wedding, but asserts dominance over Christina by insisting she order dinner, marking a shift in his character.
XIV
Now Rector of Battersby-on-the-Hill; preaches in the old church and later undertakes its rebuilding as his own architect.
XV
Visits a dying parishioner, Mrs. Thompson, offering meat, wine, and spiritual consolation, but ultimately fails to alleviate her fear of Hell.
XVI
Shown as a rector who hates visiting the sick, lacks occupation, has a violent temper, and occupies himself with making a Harmony of the Bible and collecting a hortus siccus.
XVII
Father of the newborn; his wife Christina has given birth to a son.
Chapter XVIII
Receives his father's approval and letter; proposes naming his son George but is overruled.
XIX
Mentioned in passing as one whose character the reader might judge too hastily, alongside Christina.
Chapter XX
Finds babies a nuisance; resolves to enforce strict obedience and begins training Ernest from infancy with harsh discipline.
Chapter XXI
Begins teaching Ernest to read at age two and whips him shortly after; discusses the bequest with Christina and visits Mrs. Thompson.
XXII
Ernest's father, strict and angry on Sunday evenings, beats Ernest for mispronunciation.
XXIII
Leads family prayers with a harsh Old Testament reading; prays for 'truly honest and conscientious' dealings; is embarrassed by Ernest's question about whipping; receives appointment as rural dean.
XXIV
Described as the source of oppressive household rules, likened to a roaring lion.
XXV
Christina's husband, whose sorrow she anticipates and whom she urges her sons to comfort and obey.
XXVI
Depicted as a clergyman who, like others, cannot examine both sides of a question and relieves his tension on his children.
XXVII
Theobald arranges for Ernest to attend Roughborough, having known Dr. Skinner slightly at Cambridge.
XXVIII
Accompanies Ernest to school, bored and uncomfortable during conversation with Dr. Skinner.
Chapter XXIX
Travels home in silence, brooding over Ernest's perceived idleness, deceitfulness, and lack of affection, and resolves to suppress Ernest's musical interests.
Ernest at Roughborough
Rises feeling happy and self-approving after sending Ernest to school; his strictness is echoed in Dr. Skinner's behavior.
XXXI
Referenced as the absent father whose heavy hand and beatings are no longer present, but whose influence lingers.
Alethea's Assessment
Mentioned as maintaining relations with Alethea; his parenting style is implicitly criticized.
XXXIII
Ernest's father; he and Christina are suspicious of Alethea's motives but cannot stop her.
XXXIV
Reluctantly consents to the organ plan, writes a surly letter warning Ernest about distractions and low company.
XXXV
Mentioned as a negative influence on Ernest; Alethea criticizes his parenting.
Chapter XXXVI
One of the siblings who comes to Roughborough; least burdensome to Alethea.
Chapter XXXVII
Theobald is angry about Alethea's will, writes a harsh letter to Ernest forbidding his hobbies, and cross-examines him about the school bill.
XXXVIII
Agrees with Christina that Ellen must be sent away immediately after the discovery of her pregnancy.
XXXIX
Ernest imagines his father's angry and sarcastic reaction to the truth.
XL
Questions Ernest about the loss; prescribes wine; later buys a secondhand watch; returns home in a stormy mood and summons Ernest.
XLI
Confronts Ernest about the watch, fires John, and delivers a self-righteous speech that Christina later romanticizes.
XLII
Pressures Ernest for information, deducts watch cost from pocket money, and compiles a secret school list for Dr. Skinner.
XLIII
Theobald makes a special journey to Roughborough, hands over a school list to Dr. Skinner, and later refuses to intervene on Ernest's behalf.
XLIV
Continues to exert a watchful, oppressive presence over Ernest even as he becomes a praepostor, though he often chooses to ignore inconvenient truths.
XLV
Accompanies Ernest to Cambridge, plans his son's clerical career, and keeps Ernest's scholarship money.
XLVI
Continues to dictate Ernest's studies even after he comes of age and takes his degree, insisting on reviewing examination papers.
XLVIII
Theobald prompts Christina to speak to Ernest about the difficulties of becoming a clergyman, but avoids the subject himself. He is also shown to be manipulative, behaving nicely to Ernest's friends to undermine Ernest.
L
Receives Ernest's letter with alarm, fearing his son's extremism and unpredictability; reflects on his own past and the dangers of Ernest's zeal.
LI
Mentioned in comparison to Ernest's feelings of being trapped, as Theobald felt on his wedding day.
LIV
Grumbles about Ernest's extravagance but is mollified by the argument of cheapness.
LXIII
Theobald meets the narrator at the station, learns of Ernest's disgrace, and promptly disowns him, refusing any further communication.
LXIV
Ernest worries about the pain his disgrace will cause his father.
LXVI
Mentioned as having been contacted by prison authorities; Ernest refuses to take money from him.
LXVII
Writes a letter to Ernest offering money for emigration and expressing disappointment.
LXIX
Theobald and Christina visit Ernest at the prison, hoping to maintain the connection, but Ernest rejects them.
LXX
Visits Overton's home with Christina to confront Ernest but is turned away.
LXXI
Mentioned by Ellen with fondness, though Ernest has quarreled with him.
LXXVI
Theobald is mentioned as Ernest's father, for whom John used to work.
LXXIX
Mentioned as Ernest's father, whose parenting Ernest fears repeating.
Chapter LXXX
Mentioned in Ernest's reflection that he treated his father too considerately.
LXXXI
Ernest's father, who Ernest decides not to inform about the inheritance to avoid causing pain.
LXXXII
Angry and jealous upon seeing Ernest's prosperity; reluctantly accepts his son's return.
LXXXIII
Resents Ernest's early wealth, has adopted surplice and chanting in church, and is agitated by the illness.
LXXXIV
Gives Ernest the letter from Christina with the seal already broken.
LXXXVI
Deceased; his effects were sold at auction, and his will left nothing to Ernest. He is remembered for his difficult relationship with Ernest.
