Character Analysis of The Vicar

 Charles Primrose is not a flat character. With "human naturalness" the Vicar repeatedly surprises the reader by his inconsistency. He has no one personality trait without possessing, at least to a small degree, its opposite. The Vicar is a preacher, and to a great extent he acts and speaks in accordance with his sermons. His inconsistencies arise from the fact that he "unites in himself the three greatest characters upon earth: he is a priest, a husbandman, and the father of a family. When the duties attached to these occupations come into conflict, the reader may expect to find the Vicar inconsistent.

Amiability is a prominent characteristic of which the Vicar boasts. Speaking of himself and his family, he says, "There was in fact, nothing that could make us angry with the world or each other.(1)"  He demonstrates this quality by his act of intercession for the butler who, masquerading as the owner of the home in which he worked, had duped the Vicar into conversing on the subject of "modern politics." At the request of Dr. Primrose, the butler's master forgives him for the masquerade.(111) Another instance of his amiability is his willingness to converse with Jenkinson in the jail. The Vicar tells the reader: "It was my constant rule in life never to avoid the conversation of any man who seemed to desire it.  ." (161). The Vicar's willingness to converse is a contrast to Goldsmith's own aversion to conversation. Johnson says of Goldsmith: "He was not a social man. He never exchanged mind with you" (quoted in James Boswell’s book  Life of Samuel Johnson)  

An even stronger indication of his kind disposition is his promise "to soften, or totally suppress" Mr. Flamborough' s evidence against Jenkinson as a coiner. (163) In view of the trickery used earlier by Jenkinson to obtain the horse that the Vicar had brought to the fair, Dr. Primrose's act of forgiveness certainly must be praised. His expressions of pleasure at the hospitality shown by his family are also indications of his good nature. For example, his sons' sacrificing their bed to the use of a guest highly pleases the Vicar.

Although amiable and good-natured in most of his actions, the Vicar could be annoyed. Troublesome guests, the robbing of his orchard by schoolboys, and the falling asleep of a squire during his sermon are a few of the "accidents" which aroused his ire at Wakefield. In his new home the Vicar continues to be annoyed by small matters such as the wearing of "laces, ribbons, bugles, and catgut" by his daughters and of "crimson paduasoy" by his wife. Feeling the duties of the husbandman, he says, "I do not know whether such flouncing and shredding is becoming even in the rich, if we consider, upon a moderate calculation, that the nakedness of the indigent world may be clothed from the trimmings of the vain."(3,21,22) The fortune-hunting adventures of Mrs. Primrose and her daughters also provoke contemptuous remarks from the Vicar, who expresses annoyance with fortune hunters of either gender.

The Vicar, however, acts in a contradictory manner when he agrees as a father to set a trap by which Olivia may win Squire Thornhill, their rich young landlord. The Vicar's duties as a father also cause him to grow displeased with the frequent visits of Burchell. Desiring for Sophia a more stable and prosperous husband, he admits that he is secretly pleased to be "rid of a guest" whose motives he had reason to suspect. As a priest who must receive the unfortunates of the world, Dr. Primrose scolds his wife and states that he feels a pang of conscience for their "breach of hospitality" to Burchell. The Vicar's role as a priest also causes him to be "entirely displeased" with the laughter of the company on the day of the double wedding. He reminds them "of the grave, becoming, and sublime deportment they should assume upon this mystical occasion," but they so disregard his sermon while going to the church that he threatens "to turn back in indignation." (26,37, 69, 219-220) His occasional tendency to outbursts of anger is best exemplified by his reaction on three occasions: Olivia' s leaving home, the kidnapping of Sophia, and the appearance of George in fetters. (31-32)

Another character trait of the Vicar is resignation to the will of God. He regrets the loss of his fortune only because his family has not been educated to accept the contempt which comes to the "humble."(11) He preaches to his family, who have been frustrated in their genteel ambitions:

You see, my children . . . how little is to be got by attempts to impose upon the world in coping with our betters. . . . Unequal combinations are always disadvantageous to the weaker side, the rich having the pleasure, a d the poor the inconveniences that result from them. (66)

But his resignation is not complete; at the news of Olivia's elopement he exclaims: "Now, then . . . my children, go and be miserable; for we shall never enjoy one hour more. And oh, may Heaven's everlasting fury light upon him [the Squire] and hist--thus to rob me of my child!"(96) Not only does the Vicar curse the Squire, but he also threatens to pursue the villain with his pistol. At the insistence of Mrs. Primrose and Moses, he resumes his submissive role: "Blessed be 'His holy name for all the good He hath given, and for all that he hath taken away.'"(97)  His trust in God is again exemplified when he observes to Olivia that often Heaven is kinder to us than we are to ourselves and when he says to his family while the flames destroy their home: . . . now let the flames burn on, and all my possessions perish. Here they are; I have saved my treasure [his children](142,144)

 

The Vicar, too, humbly accepts imprisonment for his debts. When his parishioners try to free him, he admonishes them to heed his instructions from the pulpit and not to fly in the face

of justice. Sophia' s kidnapping, however, ends this period of passive acquiescence in his fate. The Vicar becomes emotional: "Now . . . the sum of my miseries is made up, nor is it in the power of anything on earth to give me another pang."(160,182) The efforts of Mrs. Primrose and Moses bring the Vicar temporarily to patient submission: "How unjustly did I complain of being stripped of every comfort, when still I hear that he [George) is . . kept in reserve to support his widowed mother, and to protect his brothers and sisters."(183) But this trust in Providence is short lived. At the appearance of George in fetters, the Vicar says, "Oh that sight could break my heart at once, and let me die. . . . May all the curses that ever sunk a soul fall heavy upon the murderer of my children!"(185) At George's bidding, however, the Vicar becomes resigned once more, and in a sermon to his fellow prisoners he points out that no man can be completely happy in this life; indeed, he may be completely miserable. But he who knows no joy in this world may be comforted by thoughts of the eternal rewards reserved for those who trust  in God. (188-192)

If any explanation may be given for the Vicars's occasional failure to see justice in the acts of Providence, it is that he fears no misfortune for himself; only when calamity is directed primarily toward his children does he find occasion to rail. The Vicar excuses this inconsistency of his character in this way: "There is but one way in this life of wounding my happiness, and that is by injuring them [his children]." (169)

Another trait often attributed to the Vicar is humility. One critic has suggested that the reader of Goldsmith's day probably criticized Goldsmith for making the Vicar excessively humble in order to heighten the novel's effect.  Although this criticism may seem valid to the casual reader, it is easily refuted. To a great extent the Vicar lives up to the common saying that there was at Wakefield "a parson wanting pride." But very early in the novel the Vicar admits pride. First, as a father, he is proud of his children. He compliments the beauty of his daughters and later states, "I have no apprehensions from the conduct of my children. " Secondly, the Vicar confesses that vanity had led him to show Wilmot his tract on monogamy, "a masterpiece both for argument and style. (6,8,26)

The loss of fortune has an immediate humbling effect on the Vicar; before leaving Wakefield, he tells his family: "We are now poor, my fondlings, and wisdom bids us conform to our humble situation." Not even the Vicar, however, dis-. plays complete humility, for he eventually joins his family in their ambition to ensnare Squire Thornhill. As a part of the scheme, Mrs. Primrose suggests that the Vicar sell their remaining horse. In pondering this task, the Vicar vainly asserts, "Though this was one of the first mercantile transactions of my life, yet I had no doubt about acquitting myself with reputation.t" The Vicar continues to preen himself on his ability as a pamphleteer; in the family portrait painted by a travelling painter, the Vicar chooses to be portrayed in his "gown and band," presenting his books on the Whistonian controversy to Venus, his wife. (12,70,80)

The "deatht'of Olivia brings the Vicar to self-abasement again. Upon Jenkinson' s announcement of her death, the Vicar declares, "Heaven be praised . . . there is no pride left me now: I should detest my own heart if I saw either pride or resentment lurking there." In offering Sophia to Burchell before he knows the latter' s true identity, the Vicar also demonstrates extreme humility. (179-180, 196) But the reader is not convinced that Dr. Primrose has, indeed, overcome pride. His position as a father will cause him to worship his children. And as a pamphleteer he will proudly maintain monogamist views.

The most common criticism of the Vicar's character (by the critic named Gabo) is that he "is an impossible mixture of folly and wisdom." And truly his alternating perception of and blindness to reality often appear inexplicable. For instance, Primrose recognizes even in their first meeting that Burchell has a superfluity of wisdom and amiability, but Burchell's poverty and attachment to Sophia blind the Vicar for a time to his true worth. Primrose also seems to perceive the depraved character of Lady Blarney, Miss Skeggs, and Squire Thornhill in his first encounters with them. After Squire Thornhill' s first visit to the Primrose home, the Vicar comments that "he has not prepossessed me in his favour." Yet later, under temptation to dispose of Olivia advantageously, he recalls evidence of the Squire's "sincerity." The gross speech and finery of the two "ladies" prejudice the Vicar against their initial efforts of friendliness. Their "very discreet and serious dialogue upon virtue," however, pleases the Vicar to such an extent that he later approves their proposal that his daughters accompany them to London. (26,37,48,60)

The Vicar's blindness appears to be disappearing when he comments on Burchell's letter to the "ladies": "There seemed indeed, something applicable to both sides in this letter, and its censures might as well be referred to those to whom it was written, as to us. . . ."(78) But he applies the censures to his family, only momentarily conjecturing that the "ladies" may be the "lewd" ones referred to in the letter. He shows true perception into the Squire's character after the latter's proposal to marry Olivia to another: "Thou hast once woefully, irreparably deceived me. I reposed my heart upon thine honour, and have found its baseness, (155) The Vicar again reveals acute insight into Burchell's character when he offers Sophia to him, recognizing that even in poverty "honest brave Burchell" is a worthy man.(196)

There are two explanations for the Vicars wavering perception and blindness. First, the Vicar is "a thorough sentimentalist in his trust of man,"(observed by the critic named W.F. Gallaway) an attribute perhaps closely allied with his decision to become a priest. The second explanation concerns his role as a father.  Michael Macmillan suggests that the Vicar is “far wiser than his wife and daughters but he does not always exert, as he ought to do, his authority as the father of the family. He is 'tired of being always wise,' when his wisdom seems to put him out of sympathy with those whom he dearly loves.” If the Vicar consistently manifests one character trait, it is benevolence, which Macmillan describes as his "chief character element."

The charity of Dr. Primrose has its origin in his being "by nature, an admirer of happy human faces." As the priest of Wakefield, the Vicar gives all the profits of his parish to the widows and orphans. Even after the loss of his fortune, he continues his benevolence by giving the needy stranger Burchell his purse. Primrose's plan to relieve the suffering of his fellow prisoners indicates, too, that he finds pleasure in making the human heart happy. Not only does the Vicar perform charitable deeds, but he also desires friendship with people who themselves are charitable. Both Burchell's payment of the beadle to spare the old soldier and Jenkinson's gift to "the modest youth" cause the Vicar to initiate an acquaintance with these two men. (2,6,14,72) An instance in which the Vicar's kind hearted attitude may be questioned is his acquiescence in the scheme to use "honest Farmer Williams as a decoy" to trap Squire Thornhill into marriage. The reason for the Vic ar's inconsistency may be the human frailty he often shows when opposed by members of his family.

 

According to various commentators, the Vicar's proto type in real life could have been Goldsmith's father, his uncle Contarine, or his brother Henry. Davidson suggests that the "village preacher of real life sits for the portrait" and that the Vicar assumes the place in literature of the "parson" or the "conventional good man.   Cazamian believes that the Vicar "is a moral figure of which English literature offers us many close and distinct replicas," Fielding' s Parson Adams, Sterne's Uncle Toby, and Addison' s Sir Roger de Coverley. Whiteford considers Dr. Primrose a "compact composition" of the three literary characters mentioned above and the optimistic Job of our times being portrayed in simplicity of narrative to set off the good individual in life for whom the snares are set. Witham qualifies his own comparison of Dr. Primrose and Job by stating that "the deep despair and complaints of Job have no parallel in the Vicar's attitude.