«“... if what you tell me be true, and if I am to be a beggar, it shall never make me a rascal, or induce me to disavow my principles.”» (The Vicar of Wakefield, Chapter II) ~ #CurrentlyReading: The Vicar of Wakefield by #OliverGoldsmith. This partly-comic sentimental novel has such a tone that makes it actually confusing in terms of what the author aimed with it, making it hard to define what subgenre of novel it belongs to: On the one hand it seems like a novel of manners and morality, highlighting the importance of virtue and prudence; however, on the other hand it seems like satirizing these elements, as for all the struggles of the vicar, Dr. Charles Primrose, who is also the first-person narrator of the story, cause very bad consequences for his family. I tend to see this novel as a sentimental one, focusing on the importance of morality. The vicar Primrose is an interesting character with really admirable qualities, symbolizing the ideas of virtue, fraternity, devotion to family, importance of morale and spirituality, opposed to the materalism, disdain towards the poor and lewdness in the 18th century. In my opinion, his high virtuousness doesn't seem hypocritical and self-seeking as Richardson's Pamela's do, as interpreted by some. ~ «The pain which conscience gives the man who has already done wrong, is soon got over. Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent, it seldom has justice enough to accuse.» (The Vicar of Wakefield, Chapter XIII) ~ #TheVicarofWakefield #CharlesPrimrose #VicarOfWakefield #ThePrimroses #MrThornhill #PrimroseFamily #novel #englishnovel #18thcenturyenglishliterature #book #books #bookstagram #bibliophile #novels #currentread #reading #read #booklove #booklion #instabook #literature #bookclub #bookworm #booktube #igreads #classic #classics #oxfordworldsclassics https://www.instagram.com/p/BnazvQfFA_8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=z9my1cmx4e9c