The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
"The Vicar of Wakefield," a novel by Oliver Goldsmith, tells the story of Dr. Primrose, a kind-hearted vicar, and his family's trials and tribulations in a rural English community. Dr. Primrose and his wife, Deborah, have five children, including two beautiful daughters, Olivia and Sophia. The family's fortunes take a turn for the worse when a broker absconds with their wealth, leading to a series of misfortunes, including broken engagements and personal betrayals. Central to the narrative is the character of Mr. Burchell, who, despite appearing impoverished, becomes crucial in the family's ultimate redemption. As various romantic entanglements unfold, particularly involving the handsome but deceitful Squire Thornhill, the family faces challenges that test their morals and resilience. The story explores themes of virtue, integrity, and the eventual reward for moral steadfastness, culminating in the family's restoration of both fortune and happiness. The novel is recognized for its rich character development and social commentary, reflecting the values and struggles of early 18th-century English society.
The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
First published: 1766
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Domestic realism
Time of plot: Eighteenth century
Locale: Rural England
Principal Characters
Dr. Primrose , the vicar of WakefieldDeborah , his wifeGeorge , the oldest sonSophia , the younger daughterOlivia , the older daughterMr. Burchell , in reality, Sir William ThornhillSquire Thornhill , Dr. Primrose’s landlord and Olivia’s betrayerArabella Wilmot , George’s fiancé
The Story
Dr. Primrose and his wife, Deborah, are blessed with five fine children. The two daughters, Olivia and Sophia, are remarkable for their beauty. The Primrose family lives in a quiet rural community, where they enjoy both wealth and good reputation. The oldest son, George, falls in love with Arabella Wilmot, the daughter of a neighbor, and the two families make mutual preparations for the wedding. Before the wedding, however, Dr. Primrose and Miss Wilmot’s father quarrel over the question of a man’s remarrying after the death of his wife. Dr. Primrose stoutly upholds the doctrine of absolute monogamy. Mr. Wilmot, who is about to take his fourth wife, is insulted. The rift between the two families widens when news comes that Dr. Primrose’s broker has run off with all of his money. Mr. Wilmot breaks off the wedding plans, for the vicar is now a poor man.
George departs for London to make his fortune, and the rest of the family prepares to go to another part of the country, where Dr. Primrose finds a more modest living. On the way, they meet a man who wins the admiration of Dr. Primrose by a deed of charity to a fellow traveler. The man, Mr. Burchell, rides along with them. Suddenly, Sophia is thrown from her horse into a stream, from which Mr. Burchell is able to save her. The gratitude of Deborah assures Mr. Burchell of a warm welcome whenever he should choose to call on them.
Their new home is on the estate of wealthy Squire Thornhill, a young man known for his attentions to all the young ladies in the neighborhood. Deborah thinks that either of her daughters would make a good match for the young squire. Soon afterward, a fortunate meeting draws the squire’s attention toward Olivia, and her mother’s scheming makes Squire Thornhill a steady caller at the Primrose home, where Olivia blushingly protests that she thinks him both bold and rude. Mr. Burchell also calls frequently, but his interest seems to center upon Sophia, who does not deny her pleasure at his attention. Dr. Primrose, however, cannot approve of Mr. Burchell, for he lost all of his fortune and seems to live in relative poverty, which reveals an indifference to his fallen condition.
Two noble ladies from the city meet the Primrose family in their rustic retreat, and Sophia and Olivia become charmed by talk of city ways. When the women speak of their need for companions in their households, Deborah immediately suggests that Olivia and Sophia be selected. The two daughters are pleased at the thought of going to the city, despite Mr. Burchell’s vigorous objections. All is set for the journey, however, when Deborah receives a letter stating that a secret informant so slandered Olivia and Sophia that the city ladies will not consider them fit companions. At first, Deborah and her husband cannot imagine who the slanderer could be. When they learn that Mr. Burchell is the informant, Dr. Primrose orders him from the house. Mr. Burchell leaves with no signs of remorse or shame.
Olivia begins to insist that Squire Thornhill’s repeated visits mean that he intends to marry her. Dr. Primrose does not believe that the squire really would marry Olivia and suggests to his daughter that she consider the offer of a neighboring farmer, Mr. Williams. When the squire still fails to ask for her hand, Olivia agrees to marry the young farmer, and the wedding date is set. Four days before her wedding, Olivia runs away. With the help of Squire Thornhill, Dr. Primrose learns that Mr. Burchell carried away the girl.
Saddened by his daughter’s indiscretion, the resolute father sets out to find her and to help her. On his journey, he becomes ill and lies in bed in an inn for three weeks. On his recovery, he gives up all hope of finding Olivia and starts home. On the way, he meets Arabella, who inquires about George. Dr. Primrose assures her that George has not been heard from since he left his family to go to London. Squire Thornhill, who is courting Arabella, asks about Olivia, but the father can give him no news. Fortune brings George, impoverished and in ill luck, back to his father at that time. Pitying the bad fortune of the young boy, Squire Thornhill gives him a commission in the army and sends him away. Arabella promises to wait for her former sweetheart to make his fortune and to return to her.
Dr. Primrose starts for home once more. At a roadside inn, he finds his dear Olivia, who tells him her terrible story. The villain with whom she ran away was not Mr. Burchell. It was Squire Thornhill, who seduced her after a mock ceremony by a false priest. The squire then grew tired of her and left her. Dr. Primrose takes the girl home with him. Bad luck, however, has not forsaken the vicar. As he approaches his house, he sees it catch fire and burn to the ground. His family escapes, but all of their belongings are destroyed.
Kindly neighbors help the penniless Primroses to set up living quarters in an outbuilding on the estate. News comes that Squire Thornhill intends to marry Arabella. This report angers Dr. Primrose; to add to his indignation, Squire Thornhill comes to see him and offers to find a husband for Olivia so that she can stay near the squire. The doctor is enraged at this offer and orders him away. The squire then demands Dr. Primrose’s quarterly rent payment which, since the disaster of losing his home, the vicar cannot pay.
Squire Thornhill has Dr. Primrose sent to debtors’ prison. Soon after being lodged in prison, the vicar encounters his son, George, who, learning of the squire’s cruelty, attacked him and is sentenced to hang for attempted murder. Dr. Primrose feels that the happiness of his life is completely shattered. Next, he learns that Sophia has been kidnapped.
Nevertheless, virtue and honesty are soon rewarded. Sophia is rescued by Mr. Burchell, who turns out to be the squire’s uncle, Sir William Thornhill. With the squire’s treachery exposed, the Primrose family is released from its misery. Arabella and George are reunited. Even Olivia is saved from shame, for she learns that the priest who married her to the squire was a genuine priest. Sophia marries Sir William, and Arabella marries George. Dr. Primrose looks forward to his old age with happiness and joy in the good fortune of his children. In the end, even he is rewarded for his virtue. The broker who ran away with his money is apprehended, and Dr. Primrose is once again a wealthy man.
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