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[13-15]   [19-21]

Chapter 16
Down in Allington

Familiarity breeds contempt
Nimia familiaritas parit contemptum.  After Lily Dale and Grace decorate the church for Christmas, Lily Dale complains to Mrs. Boyce about decorating the church and long sermons.  Trollope then remarks that familiarity breeds contempt--Lily's work with the church has led her to be less reverent when talking to or about the Boyces.  This statement comes from Publilius Syrus' Sententiae, which is a collection of moral sayings.  [KD]

Apollos won't wash
Lily Dale speaks of her uncle, the squire, as an Apollo, not on the outside, but on the inside.  She describes these inward Apollos as "so full of feeling, so soft- natured, so kind..."  She states that even though her uncle appears harsh on the outside he washes well.  This is an interesting reference because in The Small House at Allington Lily Dale deemed Mr. Crosbie to be an Apollo in regard to his looks.  Trollope is reintroducing Lily Dale and also her views on Apollos.  It appears that Lily is not now as concerned with the outside as she is with the inside.  See commentary for The Small House at Allington Chapter 4.  [KD]

Chapter 17
Mr Crawley is Summoned to Barchester

Battle in the arena
Trollope states that the bishop would do anything to avoid battling his wife, Mrs. Proudie, in the arena.  The arena refers to gladiatorial games.  Trollope is being funny as he likens a domestic quarrel to a gladiatorial battle.  [KD]

Conquered amazon
Amazons were a mythical race of female warriors who were often known for their skills in combat.  There are many stories about Greek heroes, such as Heracles and Achilles, fighting and conquering Amazons.  Trollope uses this allusion to explain that the bishop was able to triumph over his formidable wife in their dispute about Mr. Crawley's position.  [KD]

Thos. Barnum
Bishops usually signed their letters with the name of their diocese.  It is possible that Trollope invented Barnum as the Latin name for Barchester after the model of Sarum for Salisbury.
See Sophie Gilmartin's note in the 2002 Penguin edition, p. 868.  [KD]

The story of Oedipus
The Crawley family often uses Mr. Crawley's reading of classics to determine that he is in a good mood. Crawley and his daughter Jane are here reading Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles.  Therefore the reader can infer that Mr. Crawley is content with the fact that he must see the bishop and is ready for the upcoming confrontation.  [KD & RR]

Chapter 18
The Bishop of Barchester is Crushed

[13-15]   [19-21]

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