Textual References (The Vicar of Wakefield)

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1. "If I am to be a beggar, it shall never make me a rascal, or induce me to disavow my principles." - Vicar (Chapter 2)

 

Here, we notice that even adverse circumstances do not change his views. His sense of right and wrong does not falter.                  
2.  "The nakedness of the indigent world may be cloathed from the trimmings of the vain." - Vicar (Chapter 4)

 

In chapter 4, 5 and 6, theme of divergence between appearance and reality is shown. Here, lies a moral that so many people ( like Squire Thornhill) disguise their real selves behind a pleasant exterior.


3. "The beast retires to its shelter, and the bird flies to its nest; but helpless man can only find refuge from his fellow creature." - Vicar (Chaper 6)

 

Hospitality is one of the first Christian duties.

 

4. In chapter 8, Goldsmith expresses his literary views through Mr. Burchell.


5. In chapter 18, elements of Picaresque novels are seen for the first time. The plot of the Picaresque Novel is based on the journey of the hero and adventures he encounters on the road. In the similar way, in 'The Vicar of Wakefield' journey of Vicar is shown in the search of his daughter Olivia.


6. In chapter 19, Goldsmith expresses his political views through a discussion between Dr. Primrose and the butler.


7. Chapter 20 is loosely based on Goldsmith's own experience as a young man after he departed from Ireland in 1752 which he shows through George's account of various adventures. This chapter is an autobiographical note of George Primrose.


8. In chapter 26 and 27, Goldsmith presents his views on prison reform through Vicar. He was of the opinion that the law should be the protector rather than a means of vengeance.

Anuradha Dhull 

Roll No. 606



 It was rather a cultural norm during the eighteenth century that a girl should marry a rich man who held estates, was handsome and physically charming. He should hold a rank or position in the society. Marriage which is a pious union of heart and soul had turned out into a way of fulfilling social ambitions. 


Deborah Primrose, after facing the misfortunes of loss of wealth and prosperity, looks upon her daughters' marriage, the only way which will help them in upliftment from their misfortunes. Marriage is considered as a very strong thread of social fabric. The criteria she sets out for a man to be the husbands of her daughters is that he must be wealthy, able to fulfill all their wishes , physically beautiful and unfortunately not love. 

She never pays attention to the inner beauty of a person. That is why, she is so easily duped by Squire Thornhill. He presents himself as a gentleman before the Primrose's family but through the spectacles looking for outer beauty and wealth, she fails to see his real intentions.

You cannot judge a book by its cover. Even an evil creature can disguise himself as a monk. It is the purity of the heart , truthfulness, honesty, goodness, humanity which gives a true picture of a person. Outer appearances can be misleading ,but there deeds can never be. They may sugar coat their opinions, views, ideas or intentions but eventually what there is inside will come out.

But Alas! Deborah Primrose fails to know the real intentions of Squire Thornhill till it is revealed in the story after he has caused a harm to her daughter. She could have avoided some of her and her family's misfortunes if she had given a thought to her husband's views about Squire Thornhill  and also if she had a more practical way of looking at people as she was also failed to realise that Mr.Burshell is a well-wisher of the family and had more realistic views about marriage.

Yashika Bhardwaj

Roll no. 615

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