The Warden

The narrative follows Septimus Harding, an honorable cleric in the fictional town of Barchester, as he faces accusations of mismanaging church funds. This situation reveals the intricate dynamics of Victorian society and provincial life in the 19th century. The story explores the tension between traditional privileges and emerging social consciousness, a recurring theme that captivated Trollope's interest, as noted by Louis Auchincloss in his Introduction.