The Vicar in Wakefield portrays Charles Primrose with almost perfect virtue. But he also has pride and obstinacy that cause many problems in his family life. These flaws lead to the Primrose family suffering until Charles is humbled in prison.
Charles’s excessive pride is a major problem in the novel. It leads to the Primroses suffering. He is proud of his family and his virtue. Charles tells us about his pride in his children’s achievements. He notes that his sons are “hardy and active”, and that his daughters are “beautiful and blooming”. Charles regards his family above God. He therefore has high expectations for them. Charles has high expectations for his children and this creates many obstacles that they must overcome. Olivia is most affected by his pride (120). His hopes for Olivia’s marriage to Mr. Williams lead her to flee with the Squire (88). The Vicar becomes more concerned about the reputation of his family than his child’s safety. This incident also highlights the Vicar’s pride and virtue. He is thrilled to see Olivia again after discovering that she has been married to the Squire. Charles Primrose continues to focus on his family’s reputation and his virtues, despite all the pain his daughter has endured. He brings Olivia home and continues to protect his pride over his family’s welfare when he is stubborn with the Squire. Charles’s prideful and rigid nature land his entire family at debtor’s jail after the meeting with Squire. Charles’ stubbornness causes his family to be in prison and also leads to other problems. The Vicar wants to end George’s happily-married life because he and Mr. Wilmot are not in agreement on monogamy. His stubbornness threatens to “interrupt [their] desired alliance” (15). His stubbornness, along with his pride, are hindering the wishes and selfishness of one of their children. The arranged marriage between Olivia and Mr. Williams is another example of his selfishness. Despite Olivia telling her dad that she does not wish to marry Mr. Williams, he insists on the “honest Mr. Williams being rewarded for his loyalty” (83). Charles ignores Olivia and says that his tenderness as a father will not affect my integrity as man. Olivia escapes with the Squire after the Vicar made it impossible for her to marry Mr. Williams. The Vicar’s stubbornness and insistence get the better of the Squire when he asks him to consent to Ms. Wilmot marrying him. The Vicar tells him that he will not consent to his marriage to any other than my daughter. And though your friendship could bring me to a throne or sink me to the ground, I would still hate both.” (135). The Vicar once again puts his pride and the Primrose family’s fate before them. The Primrose family was sentenced to prison for their pride and inobstinacy, but this is a turning point that leads them on a pilgrimage to redemption.
Charles is finally able to get rid of his shortcomings through his stubbornness and pride. Jenkinson suggests that Charles should ask the Squire to forgive him in order to save his family. However, the Vicar refuses to do so, saying, “though I submit and approbation could transfer you from here. . . As it whispers to me, I wouldn’t give neither, for it would be sanctioning adultery” (152). His stubbornness and pride in virtue stand in the way for his family’s lives. Charles’ pride and intransigence are only cured after Olivia’s alleged death. Charles’s pilgrimage towards redemption also stops at the other prisoner. He looks down on them when he arrives at the prison. While he tries to “mend” them (147), he retains his selfishness. The Vicar finally sees the prisoner’s eyes when he hears about Olivia’s death and the misfortunes suffered by George. He starts to relate to them on a level that is humane and not just social status. Charles addresses the prisoner group as his friends, children, and fellow sufferers in the face death. (161). This sermon marks the conclusion of Charles’ pilgrimage. It brings him to a deeper understanding of humanity as well as spiritual renewal. The Vicar discovers that there’s something greater than him, and that it is other people. Charles begins to live a normal life soon after he gets rid of all his faults.
The Vicar and Wakefield is a story about Charles Primrose’s personality flaws pride and stubbornness. They lead to the family’s suffering. The Primrose family can regain their former status only when Primrose is able to overcome his flaws.