The Dirt Poor
Oxford Cleric
Victoria Zhang
pg. 65
Physical Description
-“had a hollow look, a sober
stare” (293)
-“the thread upon his overcoat
was bare” (294)
-“he was not too fat” (292)
-“his horse was thinner than a
rake” (291)
Physical Characteristics
-both the Oxford Cleric and his horse
are very thin (291-92)
Character
-neglectful: he values learning and knowledge so
much that he fails to take proper care of his own
physical health, or his horse’s
-extremely frugal: his disregard for material
-his clothes are worn, barely hanging
together(294)
objects he deems unimportant starkly contrasts
his value in his duties as a student
-“he preferred having twenty books… than
costly clothes” (298-300)
-his facial expression seems both
serious and empty (293)
-devoted(to his studies): he carries himself in a
way that makes it clear he is not distracted from
his main purpose, which is enriching his mind
The Oxford Cleric is also…
reliant on others
he does not have an actual position in the church(295), and is too preoccupied with learning
—he cannot be self sufficient
his friends care for him financially(303); any money that he receives is not used to help
his life in the long run and is spent to fund his unstable lifestyle
well spoken
“He never spoke a word more than was need, /Formal at that, respectful in the extreme, /Short,
to the point, and lofty in his theme.’’ (308-310)
he is wise with his words, but is described as “respectful in the extreme” (309) and “lofty in
his theme” (310)—hints that his eloquent manner may actually be of inconvenience to
those who he interacts with
Is the Oxford Cleric Self
Absorbed?
One might think that he lives an entitled life,
pursuing a fruitless occupation and relying on his
friends to support his impractical lifestyle.
Is he completely unaware that he is leading a
unproductive life, or his he fooling everyone around
him and continuing to take advantage of them?
Works Cited
Keach, William, John J. Richetti, and Bruce
Robbins. Adventures in English Literature. Orlando,
FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1989. Print.
book image-http://images.clipartpanda.com/bookclipart-best-book-clipart-1.png
rake image- https://openclipart.org/detail/230953/
rake-silhouette