The Verger – Literary Analysis

Setting

The Verger is set in an unnamed part of London. The story develops over four locations: a fictitious church (St. Peter’s, Neville Square) in “a very good neighbourhood”, a long city street, the verger’s home, and a bank. Over half of the story takes place in the church. In addition to providing the background to the remaining stages of the story, the events at the church provide some important insights into the the verger’s character (see below).

Point of View and Tone

The story is a narrative told in the third person by a limited omniscient observer. He/she can tell us the thoughts and feelings of the verger (Albert Foreman), but none of the other characters. At first, the language (tone) of the story is formal and objective. The narrator reports the events at St. Peters in a matter-of-fact way, allowing readers to make their own judgements about the characters. As it becomes clear that Albert must leave his job, the tone changes to being conversational and sympathetic towards him.

Themes

appearance: The new vicar is concerned about how his “classy congregation” might perceive the church having an illiterate verger. He takes no account of the fact that Albert has performed his duties to the satisfaction of everybody concerned for sixteen years. For the vicar, appearance is more important than reality;
hypocrisy: The vicar is from the “East End”, the historically poor area of London. One would expect him, of all people, to recognize what Albert has achieved in life and support him to continue as verger. Instead, he pretends to show compassion by giving Albert just three months to learn to read and write, knowing full well that this would be an impossible task. These are hardly Christian values;
indifference: Albert may have faced a different (if much poorer) future if the two churchwardens, who appear to be uncomfortable with the vicar’s decision, had stood up for him. Given their titles (his lordship and the general), it is unlikely that the vicar could have intimidated them into agreement. The most likely explanation is that they simply didn’t care enough;
opportunity: Albert’s achievements, both as a verger and a businessman, demonstrate that being illiterate and/or having a low level of education are not necessarily barriers to success. All it takes is the right opportunity and the ability to recognize it; and
entrepreneurship: Albert could easily have gone back to domestic service or looked for other paid work. Instead, he built up a small fortune by having enough faith to risk part of his savings and follow up a business idea.

Characters and Conflicts

The Protagonist: Albert Foreman. We can see from events in the church that he is: 1) dedicated and meticulous – he busied himself quietly, replacing the painted wooden cover on the marble font, taking away a chair that had been brought for an infirm old lady, and waited for the vicar to have finished in the vestry so that he could tidy up in there.; 2) proud of being verger of St. Peter’s – he wore it (his robe) with complacence; and 3) dignified – His thoughts did not appear on Albert Edward’s clean cut and distinguished features. He stood in a respectful but not obsequious attitude. He was tall, spare, grave and dignified.
It is often argued that Albert’s answer to the bank manager’s question what would you be now if you had been able to (read and write)? signifies that he is humble. Albert is certainly humble in the church setting, but we don’t really know if becoming rich has changed him. His answer: I’d be verger of St. Peter’s, Neville Square can be taken two ways. One interpretation is that this is what he would rather be doing in life, suggesting humility. However, if spoken sarcastically (which I consider more likely), the answer takes on a different meaning: If he could read and write, he would have remained a verger and not have achieved the happier, more independent lifestyle that he enjoys now. No evidence of humility here!
The Antagonist: Illiteracy (a state of being).
The Vicar: The vicar is: 1) new to the church and, coming from the East End, ambitious to prove himself in this prestigious ministry; 2) controlling – this new man who wanted to have his finger in every pie; 3) condescending – some accident might happen owing to your lamentable ignorance; and 4) hypocritical see “Themes” above.
Minor Characters: The churchwardens, Albert’s wife, the bank manager.
Internal Conflicts: 1. The churchwardens’ struggle with their consciences – the others bore an expression that was slightly troubled. 2. Albert’s refusal to try to overcome his illiteracy in later life – if I could learn now I don’t know as I’d want to.
External Conflicts: 1. Albert & the Vicar (Man vs. Man) 2. Albert & Literacy (Man vs. Society – he didn’t have an opportunity to learn when young) and possibly (Man vs. Nature – he may have a learning difficulty, such as dyslexia)

Dramatic Structure and Moods

Exposition: The events inside St. Peters where the vicar passes on the news that Albert must learn to read and write within three months or leave. Mood: Disenchanted and Concerned
Rising Action: Albert comes up with the idea of opening a tobacconist shop and goes on to develop a successful chain of them. Mood: Hopeful at first, then Pleased
Climax: The bank manager learns that Albert cannot read or write. The manager was so surprised that he jumped up from his chair. “That’s the most extraordinary thing I ever heard.” Mood: Inspired
Falling Action: The bank manager questions what Albert would be if you had been able to read and write. Mood: Intrigued
Denouement: Albert answers that he would be verger of St. Peter’s, Neville Square. Mood: Amused

Examples of Literary Techniques

The Verger is widely known as a wonderful example of situational irony. Albert, having failed to meet the new vicar’s literacy requirement for a job he loved and been written off as possessing “lamentable ignorance”, becomes independently rich over the next ten years… so much so that he could now match many of St. Peter’s well-off parishioners!

Maugham uses two forms of diction (word choice) to reinforce aspects of Albert’s character. The most obvious is Albert’s poor/working class English, which emphasizes his lack of education (“What’s he ‘anging about for?” “Don’t ‘e know I want my tea?”). Less obvious is the narrator’s continued use of both given names (Albert Edward) in referring to him. Albert’s wife addresses him by first name only; the use of both names by the narrator underlines Albert’s formal/dignified nature. Some examples of other literary devices are:

Allusion: render unto Caesar what was Caesar’s
Hyperbole: the most amazing/extraordinary thing I ever heard.
Idioms: 1) a finger in every pie 2) too old a dog to learn new tricks
Personification: 1) all the grand funerals and smart weddings it (his gown) had seen 2) it (the idea) struck him
Simile: 1) like the popes in Rome 2) as though he were a prehistoric monster