Genre:

Novel, Serial

Subjects:

Descent, Providence, Unbelief, Reasoning, Gender

    Reflecting on Philip Firmin's appointment as sub-editor of the European Review and the entangled nature of his fortunes, Arthur Pendennis remarks, 'in order to bring about this event [...] the Trevgarvans have to be born from the earliest times: the Plinlimmons have to spring up in the remotest ages, and come down to the present day [...] all mankind up to the origin of our race are involved [...] and we actually arrive at Adam and Eve, who are but fulfilling their destiny, which was to be the ancestors of Philip Firmin'. His wife, Laura, replies that 'If you mean to say that there is no such thing as a Superior Power watching over us, and ordaining things for our good, you are an atheist—and such a thing as an atheist does not exist in the world, and I would not believe you if you said you were one twenty times over'. Her response, however, is only a sample of 'lady-like logic'. (403)

Reprinted:

Thackeray 1862