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stoutfellowI've said that I intend to give a full review of Trollope's The Last Chronicle of Barset after I finish it, and I will, but I have to comment on the scene that I just read. I think it's one of the most moving things I've read in the whole series.
To set the scene: Mr. Proudie is introduced, in Barchester Towers, having just been appointed (Anglican) Bishop of Barsetshire. He is thoroughly dominated by his wife, who is a proud and rather unpleasant woman. Much of the comedy of the earlier book rests in his unsuccessful attempt to throw off her domination. But The Last Chronicle of Barset is not a comedy. Her actions, at last, bring him to utter despair, and they quarrel bitterly. The following scene occurs the next morning; he is alone in his study, brooding, when a servant brings him the news that his wife has been found dead of heart failure. After the servant leaves to fetch the doctor, he remains alone.
She had never been idle. She had never been fond of pleasure. She had neglected no acknowledged duty. He did not doubt that she was now on her way to heaven. He took his hands from his head, and clasping them together, said a little prayer. It may be doubted whether he quite knew for what he was praying. The idea of praying for her soul, now that she was dead, would have scandalized him. He certainly was not praying for his own soul. I think he was praying that God might save him from being glad that his wife was dead.
I don't know why that last sentence brings me to tears, but it does.
To set the scene: Mr. Proudie is introduced, in Barchester Towers, having just been appointed (Anglican) Bishop of Barsetshire. He is thoroughly dominated by his wife, who is a proud and rather unpleasant woman. Much of the comedy of the earlier book rests in his unsuccessful attempt to throw off her domination. But The Last Chronicle of Barset is not a comedy. Her actions, at last, bring him to utter despair, and they quarrel bitterly. The following scene occurs the next morning; he is alone in his study, brooding, when a servant brings him the news that his wife has been found dead of heart failure. After the servant leaves to fetch the doctor, he remains alone.
She had never been idle. She had never been fond of pleasure. She had neglected no acknowledged duty. He did not doubt that she was now on her way to heaven. He took his hands from his head, and clasping them together, said a little prayer. It may be doubted whether he quite knew for what he was praying. The idea of praying for her soul, now that she was dead, would have scandalized him. He certainly was not praying for his own soul. I think he was praying that God might save him from being glad that his wife was dead.
I don't know why that last sentence brings me to tears, but it does.
