Decline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh

Decline and Fall

Evelyn Vaughn

Evelyn Waugh’s novel Decline and Fall is a comedic observation of the class structures in 20^th century Britain, although first published in 1928 it seems as applicable to society today, as it was then.

To first understand Decline and Fall we look at Waugh himself, educated at Hertford College, Oxford, Waugh later became a school teacher at Arnold House in North Wales, very similarly to Paul Pennyfeather, the main character of this story.

Decline and Fall starts with Paul Pennyfeather as a student at Oxford University, however his time here as a student is cut short when he is expelled after being caught up in the antics of the Bollinger Club (a play on the notorious Bullingdon Club, whose past members include politicians such as David Cameron & Boris Johnson, amongst other members of high society).

Following Pennyfeather’s expulsion from the school, he takes a teaching job at a School in North Wales (again drawing parallels to Waugh’s own life) and soon starts mentoring one of the pupils - Peter Beste-Chetwynde, the son of the wealthy, yet somewhat mysterious Margot Best-Chetwynde.

In Part 2 of the novel, Margot Best-Chetwynde purchases the Historic Tudor House “King's Thursday" in Hampshire, England. King's Thursday is much loved and respected by the surrounding resident's and is described as " the finest piece of domestic Tudor in England". However, Margot Beste-Chetwynde does not share the same regard for King's Thursday, when she responds to a newspaper reporter on the subject of purchasing the historic property she quotes that she "cannot think of anything more bourgeois and awful than timbered Tudor architecture".

Margot Beste-Chetwynde decides to demolish and rebuild King's Thursday much to the outrage of  the local residents. It is here, that one of my favourite characters is introduced to the story: Otto Friedrich Silenus or as he likes to be known: Professor Silenus (no way in part to be mistaken for "silliness" I am sure).

Professor Silenus, who was brought to the attention of Mrs Beste-Cheywynde following the rejected design for a chewing gum factory in a "progressive Hungarian quarterly" (his only other completed work being the decor for a cinema film of great length and complexity) is tasked with the new design for King's Thursday, following Mrs Beste-Chetwynde's instruction for "something clean and square".

Eventually Paul Pennyfeather and Mrs Best-Chetwynde develop a relationship and are to become married, however Paul is oblivious to the real source of his fiancé's wealth (which is implied to be a number of high class brothels in South America) and is arrested on the morning of the wedding due to him running an errand for her, in relation to her criminal business (much to his naivety).

In the last part of the story, Pennyfeather is sent to prison for seven years with charges of Human Trafficking and aiding Prostitution. However Paul decides to take the punishment himself in order to protect his future bride's honour. After spending a short time of his sentence in jail, Mrs Beste-Chetwynde is able to organise the fake death and escape of Pennyfeather, using her money and social status. The story ends with Pennyfeather taking on a new identity and continuing  his studies back at Oxford where the story had originally started.

Evelyn Waugh's portrayal of the upper class of society, is extremely amusing, however there is a recurring and more serious theme to Decline and Fall that the rich and powerful are somehow above the law.

It is the young and naive Paul Pennyfeather who receives punishment from the criminal actions of Mrs Beste-Chetwynde. The demolition of King's Thursday can perhaps represent a physical metaphor for her social status and power enabling her to do as she pleases, much to the outrage of the local residents, and society.  

A sad consequence that I feel is as relevant today and it was a century ago. The motions of society go round-and-round for the everyday man, desperately trying to cling on. Whilst the upper class and social elite remain seated comfortably in the middle, observing our struggle.