Chapter 4 Summary

Mr. Slope is introduced and his ambitions are explained. Rising from a position as a tutor at Cambridge to a preacher at a small London church, Mr. Slope's religious career rests on convincing vulnerable women to follow him. One of these women, though not so vulnerable, is Mrs. Proudie. When Dr. Proudie becomes Bishop, Mr. Slope is made his domestic chaplain, meaning he will go to Barchester with the Proudies.

Mr. Slope believes that the Proudies will want to spend all of their time in London, and therefore give him free rein in Barchester. He anticipates fighting with Mrs. Proudie for power, but assumes that since she will be in London most of the time it will not be too difficult to get the local people on his side.

Mr. Slope's religious style is very evangelical and he has very strict views on...