Genre
Semi Auto-Biographical Fiction
Setting and Context
Victorian London, with a backdrop of turmoil and disagreement within the Church of England
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator is Dr John Overton, Ernest Pontifax's father
Tone and Mood
Controversial and depressing; antagonistic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Ernest is the protagonist. His parents are his antagonists, his father more so than his mother.
Major Conflict
There is constant conflict between Ernest and Theobald. Even in his older age, when Ernest is an adult, Theobald tries to get a reaction out him by doing things that he knows will annoy his son.
Climax
There is no specific climax; however, the climax in Ernest's life could be seen as the day he turns twenty eight years old and comes into the money that his Aunt has left to him.
Foreshadowing
The fact that Theobald is forced into the clergy and does not go into the church because it is his calling foreshadows the inner turmoil he experiences with regard to the church, and also his general unhappiness that translates into the bullying treatment of his son.
Understatement
The relationship between Ernest and parents is loosely described as antagonistic but this is actually an understatement; they cannot stand each other and even into his dotage Theobald goes out of his way to do things that he knows will upset and irritate his son.
Allusions
The book constantly alludes to the turmoil within the Church of England at the time of writing and also the scandals within it that are starting to come to light.
Imagery
The imagery is mostly church-related, reflecting the theme that the author has introduced that is the hypocrisy of the church and the turmoil within it.
Paradox
The Bible teaches that we should not judge, yet Theobald, the carrier of this message to his "flock," is extremely judgmental especially of his son.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the way in which his father Is able to impose his own beliefs and wishes on Ernest, and the way in which the evangelists at his university are able to do the same thing
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The Church is the all-encompassing term used for the individual members and councils that make up the organization.
Personification
No specific examples
