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Biographical note
Excerpt
User Reviews
The Vicar of Wakefield is a novel written by Oliver Goldsmith, an Irish author, and published in 1766. The story revolves around the Primrose family, particularly the Reverend Charles Primrose, the vicar of the title. It is a poignant tale with a deep moral message that explores themes of family, love, resilience and the triumph of virtue over adversity.
The vicar, a kind-hearted and generous man, leads a contented life with his wife, Deborah, and their six children in the rural village of Wakefield. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when they fall victim to a series of misfortunes. The family loses their fortune due to the deceitful actions of a trusted friend, forcing them to leave their comfortable home and face poverty and hardship.
Despite their circumstances, the Primrose family remains resilient and hopeful. They display unwavering faith in the face of adversity, emphasizing the importance of morality and virtue. The novel follows their journey as they encounter various challenges, including deceit, betrayal and the loss of loved ones.
One of the central themes in the novel is the power of the bond of love and relationship. The Primrose family remains united and supportive of one another, finding solace and strength in their relationships. The vicar’s daughter, Olivia, faces romantic trials and deceptions, while his son, George, experiences both love and betrayal. Through these experiences, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of our choices.
The Vicar of Wakefield also critiques the social and moral values of the time. Goldsmith satirizes the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper class, portraying them as self-centred and morally decadent. In contrast, the vicar embodies genuine kindness, integrity and compassion for other souls.
Despite its initial lukewarm reception, The Vicar of Wakefield eventually gained popularity and became a beloved classic over the years. The novel’s themes of resilience, morality and the power of love resonated with readers, and it continues to be celebrated for its warmth, humour and insightful portrayal of human nature.
The Vicar of Wakefield is a novel written by Oliver Goldsmith, an Irish author, and published in 1766. The story revolves around the Primrose family, particularly the Reverend Charles Primrose, the vicar of the title. It is a poignant tale with a deep moral message that explores themes of family, love, resilience and the triumph of virtue over adversity.
The vicar, a kind-hearted and generous man, leads a contented life with his wife, Deborah, and their six children in the rural village of Wakefield. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when they fall victim to a series of misfortunes. The family loses their fortune due to the deceitful actions of a trusted friend, forcing them to leave their comfortable home and face poverty and hardship.
Despite their circumstances, the Primrose family remains resilient and hopeful. They display unwavering faith in the face of adversity, emphasizing the importance of morality and virtue. The novel follows their journey as they encounter various challenges, including deceit, betrayal and the loss of loved ones.
One of the central themes in the novel is the power of the bond of love and relationship. The Primrose family remains united and supportive of one another, finding solace and strength in their relationships. The vicar’s daughter, Olivia, faces romantic trials and deceptions, while his son, George, experiences both love and betrayal. Through these experiences, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of our choices.
The Vicar of Wakefield also critiques the social and moral values of the time. Goldsmith satirizes the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper class, portraying them as self-centred and morally decadent. In contrast, the vicar embodies genuine kindness, integrity and compassion for other souls.
Despite its initial lukewarm reception, The Vicar of Wakefield eventually gained popularity and became a beloved classic over the years. The novel’s themes of resilience, morality and the power of love resonated with readers, and it continues to be celebrated for its warmth, humour and insightful portrayal of human nature.
Oliver Goldsmith was born on November 10, 1728, in County Longford, Ireland. He was a renowned Anglo-Irish writer and poet of the 18th century. Known for his versatility and wit, Goldsmith has proven his expertise in various literary forms, including plays, poetry, essays and novels.
Goldsmith had a childhood that was marked by financial struggles and a challenging education. However, he showed remarkable intellectual prowess and eventually studied at Trinity College, Dublin, where he displayed his talent for writing and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
In 1756, Goldsmith relocated to London, seeking literary success. There, he became part of a contemporary literary circle that included some notable figures such as Samuel Johnson, Joshua Reynolds and Edmund Burke. Goldsmith’s charm, humour and storytelling abilities made him a popular figure in social circles and earned him the admiration and respect of his peers.
Goldsmith’s most celebrated work is the play She Stoops to Conquer (1773), a comedy of manners that satirizes the foibles of the upper class. The play’s witty dialogue, humorous situations and endearing characters made it an instant hit and established Goldsmith’s credibility as a skilled playwright.
In addition to his plays, Goldsmith is also remembered for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766). The novel tells the story of the Primrose family and highlights the theme of morality, virtue and resilience in the face of adversity. It remains a popular work for its warmth, engaging narrative and carefully and meaningfully etched characters.
Goldsmith’s poetry, such as The Deserted Village (1770) and An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog (1766), reflects his keen observation of society and his compassion for the plight of the common man. His poetry is characterized by its lyrical quality, gentle satire and empathy for human struggles.
Goldsmith’s writing reveals his deep understanding of human nature, a sympathy for the underprivileged and a wit that both entertained and enlightened his readers. His works tackled social issues, celebrated the beauty of the natural world and showcased his skill in capturing the nuances of human emotions.
Oliver Goldsmith’s contributions to English literature have left a lasting impact. His ability to blend humour and sentiment with generous doses of social critique continues to resonate with modern readers. Goldsmith’s works stand as enduring classics, testament to his remarkable talent and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience. A rich legacy left for progenies to tackle social upheavals.
Books that Speak to us Across Time
Books have a magical and timeless appeal. They inform, educate and entertain us. We love and cherish the books we grow up with, and explore the fascinating world they present all through our lives.
Trove seeks to preserve the tradition of reading by publishing books from the past. It is a treasure chest of the most precious works across various genres. Our vision is to keep alive works that have stood the test of time and pass them on to the next generation of readers.
Readers can browse and purchase titles in the Trove collection, gleaned from the huge ocean of treasured writings in the public domain, and republished. What’s more, Trove books can be read on paper or screen as they are available in a variety of formats.
Trove goes to great lengths to recover and refurbish old content, so readers can discover them in all their glory. Some treasures are indeed found not in caves but between the covers of a book.
Also from Trove
1. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
2. Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
3. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
4. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
6. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
8. A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man by James Joyce
9. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
10. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
11. Moby Dick or The Whale by Melville Herman
12. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
13. Animal Farm by George Orwell
14. Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
15. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
16. She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
17. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
18. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
19. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
20. Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
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