The Structure of Manalive

Part I

(Chapters 1-2)  A Shakespearean Comedy: The novel opens with a strong stress on the wonder of the wind and the arrival of Innocent. Most of the major characters are delineated: Mrs. Duke, Rosamund Hunt, Diana Duke, Doctor Warner, Arthur Ingelwood; Michael Moon, Moses Gould, and Innocent Smith. (Mary Gray is introduced in chapter 2 and Cyrus Pym in chapter 5.)

(Chapter 3)  Subsidiarity at Beacon: The importance of symbol ("The glitter is the gold") to human happiness is introduced, as is the Court of Beacon and family authority.

(Chapter 4)  The Comedy Continues: The nature of marriage is explored, especially the question of prudence and romance. Innocent's innocence is explored.

(Chapter 5)  Subsidiarity Declared: Innocent "the ritualist" is charged and the subsidiarity of the high court at Beacon is agreed upon.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some of the key techniques to Chesteron's visual style in describing setting? Why are these important to the novel's theme?
2. Delineate the characters for yourself. What do we learn about the various pairings?
3. How is the character of Innocent further explored? How important is myth and wildness to what he is? Why is his true name "manalive"?
4. How do the values of subsidiarity shape the doings at Beacon? How do the manifest Chesterton's views on marriage?

Part II

(Chapter 1)  The Murder Charge

The Case for the Prosecution: Murder is a social disease set against the inevitability of death for us all.

The Case for the Defense: Warner brings out the need in others to attack him. Innocent wants to force Professor Eames to be honest about life.

What's at Stake: Why live? (Schopenhauer's pessimism & the need for gratitude and love of life.)

(Chapter 2)  The Burglary Charge

The Case for the Prosecution: Theft is really a species of extreme klyptomania.

The Case for the Defense: The first curate, Mr. Hawkins, is really an aristocrat more than a priest and had no sympathy for the working class. The second curate, Mr. Percy, a socialist priest travels with Smith farther.

What's at Stake: Why is burglary wrong? (The value of property for the poor man; the true value of what we possess.)

(Chapter 3)  The Desertion Charge

The Case for the Prosecution: If the case for burglary is to be dismissed, then the case for bigamy (and therefore desertion) is proven.

The Case for the Defense: Innocent's quest

France: The French middle-class innkeeper teaches Innocent about national institutions.

Russia: The Russian liberal teaches Innocent about the dangers of liberal skepticism and becoming divorced from the people.

China: The Chinese temple Confusician teaches Innocent about the dangers of a conservative skepticism about metaphysics.

California: The American innkeeper teaches Innocent about the importance of place and imparts to him the final message he needs to end his quest.

What's at Stake: How can one love one's family yet feel distant? (The nature of our temporal and eternal homes and loyalties.)

(Chapter 4)  The Polygamy Charge

The Case for the Prosecution: Marriage is only a temporary evolutionary stage but one that must be observed for the time being.

The Case for the Defense: Marriage is "a dual to the death, which no man of honor should decline."

What's at Stake: How can one escape adultery? (The romance and passion of life-long marriage.)

(Chapter 5)  Marriages & An Exit: Acquittal and Mary's reflections on the sort of man who "goes out."

Discussion Questions

1. Why is Innocent so desperate to "shoot" the professor "into life"?

2. What does Innocent hope to teach the two curates about people and their property?

3. Why does Innocent go to such lengths to learn about the double-sided nature of his feelings for wife and family? 

4. Why does he learn political and philosophical lessons while he is on his quest?

5. Is he correct to hold that our eternal destiny always places a gap in our loyalities to our temporary home?

6. Do you agree with Innocent's solution to keep the passion alive in his marriage? Why or why not?

7. Is Mary's attitude towards her husband an admirable one? Explain your answer.