A close look at Trollope’s first description of Mr. Harding will give a taste of the way Trollope’s genial narrator handles his characters. Clearly Mr. Harding has many good qualities, but is hardly depicted as a larger-than-life heroic character. For one thing, the narrator pokes gentle fun of the good Reverend’s excessive dedication to playing his violoncello: Byrne, P. F. (1992). "Anthony Trollope in Ireland," Dublin Historical Record, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 126–128.

Chapter 2. John Bold has inherited property, and although technically a surgeon, he practises medicine amongst the poor without charging for his services. He is a radical reformer and is in love with Harding’s daughter Eleanor. Harding’s son-in-law Archdeacon Grantly disapproves of Bold, who starts legal enquiries into the financial basis of the almshouses (the hospital). Quoted in Wintle, Justin & Kenin, Richard, eds. (1978). The Dictionary of Biographical Quotation, p. 742. Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. This series is regarded by many as Trollope's finest work. [4] Both modern and contemporary critics have praised the realism of Barsetshire and the intricacies of its characters. However, Trollope also received criticism, particularly for his plot development and the use of an intrusive narrative voice. Nonetheless, when the public contretemps over his wardenship become too much for him to take, the Warden takes action, and brings the novel to its satisfying conclusion. In 1841, an opportunity to escape offered itself. [10] A postal surveyor's clerk in central Ireland was reported as being incompetent and in need of replacement. The position was not regarded as a desirable one at all; but Trollope, in debt and in trouble at his office, volunteered for it; and his supervisor, William Maberly, eager to be rid of him, appointed him to the position. [9]Garnett, Richard (1899). "Trollope, Anthony". In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol.57. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp.238–242. As the time for Mr. Harding’s departure from Hiram’s Hospital draws near, he calls in all the residents and has a last talk with them. They are disturbed—even those who petitioned the bishop—for they know that they are being deprived of a friendly and sympathetic warden. Shumaker, Wayne (1954). "The Mixed Mode: Trollope's Autobiography." In English Autobiography, Berkeley: University of California Press. BBC Radio 4 released another radio adaptation titled The Barchester Chronicles in 2014. [47] This programme was created by Michael Symmons Roberts, and also covered all six Barsetshire novels. [48] Inspired works [ edit ]

Yet, finally, to Haphazard’s astonishment, Mr. Harding turns the tables on the lawyer-politician and triumphs by exerting his strength of conscience. He silences the great man as if he’d hit him. He asserts himself — and his moral authority.

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It was adapted as a BBC television mini-series titled The Warden (1951), which was broadcast live and apparently never recorded. [6]

Chapter 1. The Reverend Septimus Harding is a modest clergyman in the cathedral town of Barchester in the south west of England. He is in charge of an almshouse for twelve old workmen, and he supplements their meagre weekly allowance from his own stipend. Rumours begin to circulate that his own generous income should be divided amongst his charges, according to the terms of Hiram the founder’s will. SS Great Britain: Brunel's ss Great Britain". globalstories.ssgreatbritain.org . Retrieved 21 July 2021. If you enjoyed The Warden, you might like Trollope's The Way We Live Now, also available in Penguin Classics. Read more Details John Bold, a young surgeon, a zealous church reformer. He is romantically interested in Eleanor Harding, and later drops the lawsuit. The series has been subject to criticism regarding its plot development. The Saturday Review (1861) wrote that "[T]he plot of Framley Parsonage is really extremely poor", [30] going so far as to say "Mr Trollope is not naturally a good constructor of plots". [30] Similarly, critic Walter Allen claimed that Trollope has "little skill in plot construction", [35] while Stephen Wall suggested the outcome of The Small House at Allington "is visible early on". [36]Mr Septimus Harding is the meek, widowed and elderly warden of Hiram's Hospital and precentor of Barchester Cathedral, in the fictional county of Barsetshire. a b c d e f g h Trollope, Anthony (2009). An Autobiography. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781107280106. ISBN 978-1-107-28010-6.