Vicar of the Wakefield
About the author
Oliver
Goldsmith (1728 to 1774) was an Anglo - Irish novelist, playwright, dramatist
and poet who is best known for his novel ‘Vicar of the Wakefield’ and pastoral
poem ‘The Deserted village’. Goldsmith is the part of a literary Movement in
London called ‘The club’ during 18th century.
Notable works
(1) The Deserted Village
(2) She Stoops to Conquer
(3) The Good - Naur'd Man
(4) The Vicar of the Wakefield
Goldsmith
was born in Ireland but his literary career began in London, he was graduated
from Trinity University Dublin. Goldsmith’s first literary work was the series
of letters titled ‘The Citizen of the world’ and he is most famous for his novel
The Vicar of the Wakefield.
Introduction
The
Vicar of the Wakefield is a novel written by Anglo Irish white Oliver Goldsmith,
it is also subtitled as “A tale supposed to be written by himself” this novel
published in 1766 and it is considered as the most popular and widely read
novel of 18th century among the Victorians.The genre of the novel is comedy and
satirical novel.
Vicar
means a priest of a church who looks after the church and the people in the
surroundings. The story revolves around Charles Primrose and his family members
including Deborah Primrose their daughters Olivia and Sophia. Primrose family
was leaving a good life initially they are wealthy people suddenly a news came
that a merchant investor whom doctor Primrose had given money has become
bankrupt and left town so they have to sold their house and move to the another
cheaper rented place.
Let's summaries this novel
Summary
Dr
Charles Primrose The Vicar also called as Parish who is a priest in a local Church
situated in the town named Wakefield living with his wife, four sons and two
daughters Sofia and Olivia. They were a wealthy family by investing inheritance
that their received from their decadence.
Dr
Primrose’s eldest son George's wedding was decided to Aarabella Wilmot but on
the wedding day he received a news that a merchant investor whom he given all
his money go bankrupt and has left town. The wedding is called off by Arabella’s
father because they are wealthy family and wants that daughter to marry the wealthy
man. George went to town to earn money and rest of the family moved to another
country side.
Their
new Land Lord who is known as Womanizer and they also heard about his
reputation although his uncle Squire Thornhill known for his generosity.
On
the way to new Parish they met new friend Mr. Burchell Who rescued Sophia from
drowning and Sophia instantly got attracted to him but her mother discouraged
her feelings.
Primrose
family having good quality family time and living a happy and simple life but
some times Squire thornhill and Mr.Burchell visit them. Olivia is captivated by
Thornhill’s charm, one day Olivia flew away from home and doctor Primrose found
her to be deceived by Square Thornhill he planned to marry her in fake marriage
ceremony and to take advantage of her as he had done with other women.
Dr
Primrose rescued Olivia and they return home but found out the family has lost
all the belongings and homes because Squire Thornhill forcefully insisted to pay
the rent but Dr Primrose cannot pay and he was brought to prison, other
dreadful events follows as Olivia was found dead and George was also prisoned
as he had fight with Squire Thornhill. After Olivia's death Sofia was also kidnapped
by someone.
Then
after Mr.Burchell arrives and solves all the problems as he rescued Sofia and
told everybody that Olivia is not dead. The twist in the story is that Mr.Burchell
is Sir William Thornhill in reality he is a humble man.
In
the end there is a double wedding George married Arabella and sir William thornhill
marries Sophia. Finally Dr.Primrose’s wealth was also recovered as bank corrupt
merchant is reportedly found.
Conclusion
As
a conclusion it is stated that the Vicar of the Wakefield is one of the best
example of satirical novel by Oliver Goldsmith and he intelligently used the
characters to portray satirical and comedy themes especially by Sir William.
Vicar as satirical and sentimental novel
By many literary critics The Vicar of the Wakefield
is often considered as a sentimental novel which displays the belief of inborn
goddess of human beings.
However this novel can also be read as satire
on sentimental values because the Vicar’s values are not compatible with the
real sinful world although it is only by sir William
Thornhill’s help the family can get out of problems. Throughout the story Dr.Primrose
suffered and it arouses is the question of “why evil exists?”
When the readers get to know that a
Mr.Burchell is Sir William Thornhill in reality that is the turning point of the
novel and Goldsmith presented it in a Satirical way.
