Abstract
This paper describes the struggle to be the one to wield power in a small Anglican diocese. Trollope's purpose is to show the human foibles and politics of the Church of England and how the emphasis of the Church has drifted from God, faith, and the religious guidance of the Church's congregation to politics and the power of the clergy. It explains how "Barchester Towers" does not deal with a power struggle for religious ideals. Rather, it depicts an ecclesiastical power struggle and the vain thirst for personal power among Barchester's churchmen.

From the Paper
"Anthony Trollope's Barchester Towers is concerned with social change in 19th century England. Trollope's purpose is to show the human foibles and politics of the Church of England and how the emphasis of the Church has drifted from God, faith, and the religious guidance of the Church's congregation to politics and the power of the clergy. In short, Barchester Towers does not deal with a power struggle for religious ideals. Rather, it depicts an ecclesiastical power struggle and the vain thirst for personal power among Barchester's churchmen. In this battle, several influential men of consequence endeavor to "rule the roast" (18) and to become Barchester's cock of the walk (142). Ironically, the bishop's willful wife Mrs. Proudie thwarts their ambitions. One situation in the novel that Trollope uses to illustrate the clergy's aspirations and their neglect of religious principles is the battle between Mrs. Proudie and her adversaries, Chaplain Slope and the Bishop of Barchester."

Tags:anglican, barchester, english, literature, towers, trollope, victorian