Major Themes
The novel, although it has a plot, and is written by a woman (and women were not permitted be Episcopal priests at the time the book was written), is something of an exploration of inner and outer life and moral conflicts of a dedicated Episcopal priest (no existential crises of faith as in books by non-religious authors, but many shadows of the temptations of the world, to which Hilary never permanently succumbs). However, Hilary is conflicted by the number of poor working-class people in his parish in desperate need of his care, despite the presence in his own vestry (church governing body/board) of powerful men who may be responsible for some of that misery.
Read more about this topic: The Bishop's Mantle
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