Novel Approaches: ‘The Last Chronicle of Barset’ by Anthony Trollope

Sep 7, 2025

Dinah Birch, Emerita Professor of English Literature at the University of Liverpool, dives deep into Anthony Trollope’s 'The Last Chronicle of Barset,' which showcases his unique blend of comedy and social commentary. The discussion revolves around the intriguing mystery of Reverend Crawley's misadventures with a mysterious cheque. Birch and her co-hosts highlight Trollope’s storytelling prowess and the novel’s relevance as a standalone piece, while reflecting on the intertwined fates of Barsetshire’s characters and the broader implications of inequity within the church.

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insights

INSIGHT

Craft Behind Simple Sentences

Trollope's prose combines memorable plotting with deceptively simple sentences that still do much work.
Dinah Birch argues his sentence-level craftsmanship draws readers into the fictional world as collaborators.

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INSIGHT

Mastery At Scale

Trollope's prodigious output (47 novels) coexists with consistently high quality, producing awe among fellow writers.
Tom Crewe calls Trollope a literary giant whose range and mastery are world-class.

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INSIGHT

A Miniature of Trollope's Range

The Last Chronicle of Barset acts as a summation showcasing Trollope's versatility across comedy, pathos, and social commentary.
Crewe suggests the novel offers many modes and is a fine starting point for new readers of Trollope.

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Exploring the Significance of Trollope's Final Barsetshire Novel

04:50 • 4min

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Exploring the Life and Literary Evolution of a Renowned Novelist

09:20 • 4min

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Unraveling the Complex Tapestry of Barsetshire

13:04 • 3min

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The last chronicle of Barset

Anthony Trollope

The Last Chronicle of Barset is the sixth and final novel in Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire series. The story revolves around Reverend Josiah Crawley, an impoverished but proud clergyman, who is accused of stealing a check. His financial struggles and the resulting scandal deeply affect his family and the community. The novel explores themes of poverty, integrity, and social judgment within the hierarchical society of Victorian England. It intricately weaves together multiple storylines, revisiting characters from earlier novels in the series. As Crawley's trial looms, the residents of Barsetshire grapple with moral dilemmas and complex relationships. The resolution of the mystery and its impact on the characters provide a satisfying conclusion to the Barsetshire series.

Our Victorian education

Dinah Birch

Our Victorian Education examines the evolution of education in Victorian England and its impact on society. It explores the changing landscape of schooling, from the establishment of public education to the growth of universities. The book investigates the curriculum, teaching methods, and the social and cultural values that shaped Victorian education. It analyzes the role of education in social mobility, gender equality, and the formation of national identity. It also considers the perspectives of students, teachers, and reformers who shaped the educational landscape of the era. In essence, Our Victorian Education offers a comprehensive overview of the complex and transformative world of Victorian education and its lasting legacy.

Framley parsonage

Anthony Trollope

Framley Parsonage is the fourth novel in Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire series, focusing on the life of young clergyman Mark Robarts and his experiences in the parish of Framley. Mark's ambition leads him into the world of politics and high society, where he becomes entangled in a web of deceit and intrigue. He faces moral dilemmas as he tries to navigate the conflicting demands of his conscience and his desire for social advancement. The novel explores themes of ambition, friendship, and the challenges of maintaining integrity in a corrupt world. Through its engaging characters and realistic portrayal of Victorian society, Framley Parsonage offers a compelling exploration of human nature and the complexities of life.

Ruskin's myths

Dinah Birch

Ruskin's Myths explores the enduring influence of John Ruskin's ideas on Victorian society and culture. It examines how Ruskin's writings on art, architecture, and nature shaped the aesthetic and moral values of the era. The book delves into Ruskin's complex relationship with myth and his creation of new mythic narratives to address contemporary social and political issues. It analyzes Ruskin's engagement with classical and biblical myths, as well as his development of original mythic frameworks. It also considers the reception and interpretation of Ruskin's work by his contemporaries and subsequent generations. Ultimately, Ruskin's Myths offers a comprehensive reassessment of Ruskin's legacy as a visionary thinker and cultural critic.

#54039

the small house at allington

'Can You Forgive Her?' is a novel that explores themes of love, marriage, and social expectations in Victorian England. The story revolves around Alice Vavasor, a young woman torn between her engagement to her dependable cousin George and her attraction to the charismatic but unreliable Captain Bellfield. As Alice grapples with her choices, the novel delves into the complexities of female agency and the societal pressures placed upon women. Trollope's characteristic wit and keen observations of human nature make this a compelling exploration of relationships and moral dilemmas.

Anthony Trollope, A Very Short Introduction

Dinah Birch

Anthony Trollope: A Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of the life and works of the renowned Victorian novelist. It explores Trollope's distinctive narrative style, characterized by realism, social commentary, and psychological insight. The book examines Trollope's major novels, including the Barsetshire and Palliser series, highlighting their themes of love, marriage, politics, and religion. It also considers Trollope's engagement with the social and cultural issues of his time, such as class divisions and the changing role of women. Moreover, the short introduction discusses Trollope's legacy as a literary figure and his enduring appeal to readers. It offers an accessible and informative introduction to the world of Anthony Trollope, inviting readers to discover the pleasures and complexities of his novels.

• Mentioned in 21 episodes

Autobiography

Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a seminal work that spans several decades of Franklin's life, from his childhood in Boston to his later years as a respected statesman and scientist. The autobiography is divided into four parts, each written during different periods of his life. It covers his apprenticeship to his brother James, his early career as a printer and publisher, his experiments with electricity, and his civic and political involvements. The work is notable for its insights into Franklin's personal life, his pursuit of moral perfection, and his contributions to American history and culture.

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• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The New Life

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Tom Crewe

Trollope enthusiasts Tom Crewe and Dinah Birch say they could have chosen any one of his 47 novels for this episode, so it’s no wonder Elizabeth Bowen called him ‘the most sheerly able of the Victorian novelists’. They settled on The Last Chronicle of Barset: a model example of Anthony Trollope’s gift for comedy, pathos, social commentary and masterful dialogue.

At the heart of Last Chronicle is a mystery: how did the impoverished Reverend Crawley get his hands on a cheque for £20 that no one can account for, and is he capable of theft? The scandal has dire repercussions not only for Reverend Crawley, but the whole county: his ostracision raises broader questions about inequity in the church; it sparks rifts between his daughter, her would-be husband and his parents; and it gives his young relative Johnny Eames an excuse to flee the entanglements of London high society for the continent, in search of the only man who may be able to solve the puzzle. Although it’s the final book in the Barchester series, Last Chronicle can be read as a standalone novel, and Tom and Dinah join Thomas Jones to explore its sensitivities, ambivalences and sheer readability.

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Further reading in the LRB:

John Sutherland: Trollopiad

⁠⁠https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v14/n01/john-sutherland/trollopiad⁠⁠

Richard Altick: Trollope’s Delight

⁠⁠https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v06/n08/richard-altick/trollope-s-delight⁠⁠

Next time on Novel Approaches: 'The Portrait of a Lady' by Henry James.

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