"Barchester Towers" by Anthony Trollope (1857): A Review

Anthony Trollope’s Barchester Towers (1857) is a delightful social satire that offers a keenly observed portrayal of life in a fictional English cathedral town. The novel is the second in Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire series, following The Warden, and it continues to explore the intricacies of class, politics, religion, and morality in Victorian England. With its engaging characters, intricate plotting, and sharp wit, Barchester Towers remains one of Trollope's finest works and a beloved classic of English literature.

Plot Summary

The novel is set in the fictional cathedral town of Barchester, where the local ecclesiastical politics are in turmoil following the death of the old bishop, Dr. Grantly. His death opens up the position of the Bishop of Barchester, a post that controls the local church's authority and is a source of power and influence in the town. The central plot revolves around the efforts of various characters to secure the position of bishop, as well as the power struggles that ensue.

Dr. Grantly’s son, the ambitious and self-righteous Archdeacon Grantly, hopes to succeed his father, believing it is his rightful place. However, to his dismay, the government nominates a new candidate, Dr. Proudie, a pompous, self-important man with little experience in ecclesiastical matters but strong political connections. His wife, the domineering and manipulative Mrs. Proudie, exerts even more influence, making the Proudies an unlikely but formidable force in Barchester’s religious life.

In the midst of these power struggles, we meet several other characters whose lives intertwine with the ecclesiastical politics of Barchester. The young and idealistic cleric Mr. Slope, who is an ambitious and opportunistic man, becomes a key figure in the novel’s drama as he seeks to further his own ambitions by aligning himself with the Proudies. Meanwhile, the character of Eleanor Bold, a widow with her own sense of moral rectitude, becomes entangled in a romantic subplot with Mr. Slope, which further complicates the social and political tensions in Barchester.

As the story unfolds, the characters’ ambitions, personal flaws, and social maneuverings are revealed, leading to comic situations, misunderstandings, and, ultimately, a resolution that balances the power dynamics in Barchester and restores order to the cathedral town.

Themes and Analysis

1. Social and Religious Politics

At the heart of Barchester Towers is an exploration of the intersection of social and religious politics in Victorian England. The contest for the position of bishop becomes a microcosm of larger societal struggles over power, influence, and class. Through the characters of Dr. Proudie, Mrs. Proudie, and Archdeacon Grantly, Trollope critiques the entrenched systems of authority and privilege that govern both the Church and society at large.

Trollope uses the Church of England as a backdrop to expose the petty rivalries, personal ambitions, and hypocrisy that often underlie religious institutions. The characters vying for the position of bishop are not necessarily motivated by a desire for spiritual leadership but by a hunger for power and influence. This satirical examination of the Church reveals the conflict between genuine religious devotion and the social and political gamesmanship that often accompany positions of authority.

2. Character and Morality

Another central theme in Barchester Towers is the exploration of character and morality. The novel’s characters are richly drawn, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions. While some characters, like the dignified and sincere Mr. Arabin, represent a sense of moral integrity and personal virtue, others, like Mr. Slope and Mrs. Proudie, embody opportunism, manipulation, and self-interest.

Trollope’s skill in portraying human nature is evident in his nuanced and often sympathetic treatment of even the most morally ambiguous characters. Mr. Slope, for instance, is depicted as ambitious and unscrupulous, but Trollope also allows him moments of vulnerability and self-reflection. Similarly, Mrs. Proudie, though a domineering figure, is portrayed as a woman trying to assert her power in a world where women’s roles were limited to the domestic sphere. In this way, the novel presents a complex view of morality, showing that characters are often motivated by a mix of personal desires, social pressures, and ethical considerations.

3. The Role of Women

The role of women is a critical theme in Barchester Towers. Characters like Mrs. Proudie, Eleanor Bold, and Charlotte Stanhope illustrate the limited roles available to women in Victorian society and how these women navigate the constraints of their gender. Mrs. Proudie, in particular, is a fascinating character who challenges the traditional gender roles of the time. Despite being a woman, she exercises significant power and influence over her husband, the bishop, and the men of Barchester, making her one of the most formidable characters in the novel.

Eleanor Bold, a widow with a strong moral compass, represents the ideal of a woman who is both independent and guided by a sense of duty. However, her romantic relationship with Mr. Slope complicates her moral standing, as she is torn between her desire for independence and the expectations of society. The tension between these desires reflects the broader societal pressures on women during the Victorian era, where women were often expected to conform to strict moral codes while navigating limited opportunities for self-expression and personal agency.

4. Class and Social Mobility

Trollope also explores themes of class and social mobility in Barchester Towers. The novel’s setting in the provincial town of Barchester highlights the importance of social status, especially within the church, and the ways in which characters jockey for position within a rigid social hierarchy. The Proudies, with their political connections, and the Grantly family, with their long-standing aristocratic ties, represent the power structures that dominate Barchester’s society. Meanwhile, characters like Mr. Slope and Eleanor Bold, who come from less privileged backgrounds, strive to improve their social standing through their relationships and ambitions.

The novel reveals the social rigidity of the time, where upward mobility was limited and often determined by wealth, connections, and birthright. While some characters, like Archdeacon Grantly, are entrenched in their social positions, others, like Mr. Slope, are outsiders attempting to rise through manipulation and opportunism. The tension between these different social classes creates much of the novel’s drama and provides a critique of the limitations imposed by class distinctions.

5. Humor and Satire

Despite its serious themes, Barchester Towers is filled with humor, much of it directed at the pomp and pretensions of the Church, the aristocracy, and the middle class. Trollope’s sharp wit and satirical eye are evident in his portrayal of the self-important characters who inhabit the world of Barchester. Mrs. Proudie, in particular, is the target of much of Trollope’s satire, as her domineering nature and moral absolutism make her an easy figure to mock. Similarly, the ambitious Mr. Slope is a figure of comic absurdity, whose eagerness to climb the ecclesiastical ladder leads to several humorous, yet morally instructive, situations.

Trollope uses humor to deflate the pretensions of his characters and to expose the social and political games they play. His wit also allows him to tackle serious issues, such as the abuse of power and the moral compromises that people make in the pursuit of self-interest, without becoming overly heavy-handed.

Literary Style

Trollope’s narrative style in Barchester Towers is marked by its engaging, conversational tone and its keen psychological insight. He is able to create a detailed, believable world through his richly drawn characters and his observations on the social and political dynamics of the time. His third-person omniscient narrator allows him to delve into the minds of his characters, providing insight into their motivations, desires, and moral dilemmas.

Trollope’s pacing can sometimes be slow, particularly in the early chapters as he sets up the political and social context of the novel, but his skillful plotting and character development ensure that the narrative remains engaging. The humor and wit that characterize the novel’s dialogue and interactions between characters add a layer of liveliness and charm to the otherwise serious social commentary.

Reception and Legacy

When Barchester Towers was first published, it was met with widespread acclaim, and it remains one of Trollope’s most popular and enduring works. The novel’s satirical exploration of religious politics, social ambition, and human nature continues to resonate with readers. Trollope’s creation of a rich, complex world filled with vivid, memorable characters has earned the novel a lasting place in the literary canon.

The Chronicles of Barsetshire series, which includes Barchester Towers, The Warden, Doctor Thorne, Framley Parsonage, and The Last Chronicle of Barset, is considered one of Trollope’s greatest achievements, offering a panoramic view of Victorian society and its intricacies. Barchester Towers, in particular, stands out for its complex characters, keen social critique, and its exploration of the intersection between religion, class, and morality.

Conclusion

Barchester Towers is a masterful blend of social commentary, character development, and humor. Through its portrayal of ecclesiastical politics, personal ambition, and the complexities of Victorian social life, Trollope offers a richly textured narrative that critiques the moral and social norms of his time. The novel’s vivid characters, from the self-righteous Archdeacon Grantly to the manipulative Mrs. Proudie, remain unforgettable, and Trollope’s sharp satire and psychological depth ensure that Barchester Towers endures as a classic of English literature. With its intricate plotting, richly drawn characters, and timeless themes, Barchester Towers continues to captivate readers and stands as one of the greatest novels of the Victorian era.