Barchester Towers
Chapters 50 to 53 |
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[47-49] |
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Chapter 50
The Archdeacon is Satisfied with the State of Affairs |
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Nil
admirari
Latin,
"to be surprised at nothing." The archdeacon is asked by Mr. Harding
whether he will be surprised at the coming revelation regarding Eleanor;
Dr. Grantly, who still believes her to be in love with Mr. Slope, is
surprised when it turns out that she is not, in fact, engaged to him.
Nil admirari is an attitude advocated by Horace as the best manner of
remaining happy, by refusing to marvel at anything. Horace's Epistles
1.6.1. [JM] |
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Chapter 51
Mr. Slope Bids Farewell to the Palace and its Inhabitants |
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Facile
princeps
Ms.
Proudie is referred to as facile princeps. It is a Latin phrase
literally meaning "easily first." After the conflict between Ms. Proudie
and Mr. Slope over Hiram's Hospital, Mrs. Proudie came out the winner.
Princeps was one title used by the Roman emperors, including Augustus
, who triumphed over Mark Antony in a civil war. Perhaps this title is
Mrs. Proudie's reward for being victorious in the civil war she had just
fought with Mr. Slope. It could also show that she has proven herself to
be her husband's emperor. The phrase gives Mrs. Proudie a prestigious
stature that reinforces her presentation as a triumphant victor.
OED [TH] |
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Gods
above and below
In the
second book of Vergil's Aeneid, Aeneas invokes the gods above and
those below. [TH] |
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Chapter 52
The New Dean Takes Possession of the Deanery, and the New Warden of the
Hospital |
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Chapter 53
Conclusion |
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Paean
This word comes from ancient Greece and refers to a song of victory or a
song which invoked victory. It was also adapted into Latin as paean,
and retained the same meaning as a hymn or chant of victory. It is used
here to describe Archdeacon Grantly's song of triumph over Mr. Slope,
since he has won their battle over religious power in
Barchester
Towers. This word is cited by the OED as occurring in English literature
as early as 1589. [MD] |
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Anathema
See entry in Vocabula section.
The word is used here as an exclamation, condemning those people who might
disagree with Eleanor Bold's religious views and practices in her new
station as the wife of Dean Arabin. [MD] |
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[47-49] |
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