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Chapter 10
Tribulation

Omnipotent pedagogue
"They spoke together of the archdeacon, as two children might of a stern, unpopular, but still respected schoolmaster, and of the bishop as a parent kind as kind could be, but powerless against an omnipotent pedagogue."  Here Trollope uses the formality of English words derived from Latin and Greek in a playful manner.  While one can certainly sympathize with Harding and Eleanor's feelings towards the archdeacon, it is somewhat absurd that they should be so afraid of a man who through filial ties should be subordinate to Mr. Harding and only slightly superior to Eleanor.  The entire parallel that Trollope draws is comical.  His use of words with classical roots to describe what is really not a grand position at all is funny in itself, but also stays in tune with his metaphor.  The phrase reflects the sort of fear and awe that a child would have of such a schoolmaster.  [JC]

Chapter 11
Iphigenia

Iphigenia and Agamemnon
Eleanor is compared to Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon, who is sacrificed to pacify the goddess Artemis so that her father's ships, held at Aulis by a contrary wind, may set sail.  This comparison is to be maintained for the entire chapter, but is set up primarily on this page.  The story of Iphigenia is dealt with in greater detail in Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis.  Eleanor is being compared to Iphigenia because she feels she will have to make a great sacrifice for her father's happiness.  Of course, Eleanor is not being called upon to give up her life, but rather her love, Mr. Bold.  [JM]

Eleanor is contrasted with a classic bust 
Trollope goes into great detail about the features of classical beauty, disparaging them slightly, and then describing how Eleanor, through her favorable personality, surpasses them.  [JM]

Filthy luchre
"obscaena pecunia" in Juvenal's Satire 6 (line 298).  Juvenal is complaining of how decadent Rome has become, through adopting foreign ways and growing rich by means of conquest.  [JM]

Iphigenia's sacrifice
"The gods had heard her prayer, granted her request, and were they not to have their promised sacrifice?"  The Iphigenia comparison is drawn explicitly, but unlike tragic Iphigenia, Eleanor will not be called upon to make the sacrifice; her relationship with Mr. Bold remains safe.  [JM]

Chapter 12
Mr Bold's Visit

Sacred precincts
Trollope uses this phrase to refer to the home of the Grantly family and the office of Dr. Grantly, who is the archdeacon of Barchester. This occurs when John Bold is about to visit Dr. Grantly and is feeling very apprehensive about his visit. Even the very Grantly residence and property is viewed as holy, ancient, and respectable by Mr. Bold.  [MD]

Sanctum sanctorum
Trollope refers to the office of Archdeacon Grantly in his house as "the holy of holies."  This gives the room the feeling of that of a very private place, Dr. Grantly's innermost sanctuary, the holiest place in the entire holy dwelling.  [MD]

Chrysostom  
Trollope refers to St. John Chrysostom, a Christian priest who was very well known in the fourth and fifth centuries CE for his eloquent sermons and speaking style, and thus received the nickname Chrysostom, or "golden-mouthed."  For the first part of his life, St. John was a monk, but his popularity dramatically increased when he became archbishop of Constantinople in 397 CE.  His bust is mentioned here as sitting alongside those of other famous Christian men.
http://www.chrysostom.org/life.html  [MD]

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