The Prime Minister

The Prime Minister

Infobox Book
name = The Prime Minister
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Anthony Trollope
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country =
language = English
series = The Pallisers
subject =
genre = Novel
publisher = Chapman and Hall
pub_date = November 1875 to June 1876 (in 8 parts); 4 Volumes, 1876
english_pub_date =
media_type = Serialized; Print
pages =
isbn =
oclc =
preceded_by = The Way We Live Now
followed_by = The American Senator

"The Prime Minister" is a novel by Anthony Trollope, first published in 1876. It is the fifth of the "Palliser" series of novels.

ynopsis

When neither the Whigs nor the Tories are able to form a government on their own, a fragile compromise coalition government is formed, with Plantagenet Palliser, the wealthy and hard-working Duke of Omnium, installed as Prime Minister. The Duchess (previously known as Lady Glencora, before her husband inherited a dukedom) attempts to support her husband by hosting lavish parties. Palliser is initially unsure that he is fit to lead, then grows to enjoy the high office, and finally becomes increasingly distressed when his government proves to be too weak and divided to accomplish anything.

A significant sub-plot centers on Ferdinand Lopez, a financially overextended city adventurer of undisclosed parentage who wins the favour of Emily Wharton. She marries Lopez despite her father's objections and soon has cause to regret her choice. Lopez meets the Duchess at one of her parties and is encouraged to run for Parliament. He campaigns against a popular former suitor of Emily's, as well as a local tradesman, and withdraws from the contest when he sees he has no chance. He then knavishly insists that the Duke reimburse him for the election expenses, since the Duchess had led him to believe that he would have the Duke's endorsement. The Duke's strong sense of personal honor forces him to give in to Lopez's shameless (and desperate) demands, but this causes a minor political scandal when it becomes known. It appears to many people as if Palliser tried to use his great influence and wealth to buy a seat in Parliament for a supporter. This causes the Duke great unhappiness. Meanwhile, Lopez's high-risk gambles lead to financial ruin and, after failing to persuade the wealthy Lizzie Eustace (protagonist of "The Eustace Diamonds") to run away with him to Guatemala, he takes his own life. After a period of mourning, Emily is persuaded to accept her former suitor.

Eventually the coalition government breaks apart and the Duke resigns, to both his regret and relief.

External links

*gutenberg|no=2158|name=The Prime Minister


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Prime Minister — est un film biographique britannique de 1941. Dirigé par Thorold Dickinson, il raconte la vie du Premier ministre Benjamin Disraeli et met en scène les acteurs John Gielgud, Diana Wynyard, Fay Compton et Stephen Murray. Distribution John Gielgud… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (Zimbabwe) — The Minister of State in the Prime Minister s Office is a non cabinet ministerial position in the government of Zimbabwe. The incumbent is Gordon Moyo.[1] The duties of the position have yet to be publicly defined, although Prime Minister Morgan… …   Wikipedia

  • The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund — The Prime Minister s National Relief Fund(PMNRF) is an Indian organization created shortly after Independence. It provides immediate relief to people in distress. The Fund depends entirely on voluntary donations received from the public. External …   Wikipedia

  • Minister in the Prime Minister's Office — Israel This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Israel Basic Laws Jerusalem Law …   Wikipedia

  • The Prime Minister (film) — Infobox Film name = The Prime Minister image size = caption = director = Thorold Dickinson producer = Max Milder writer = Michael Hogan Brock Williams narrator = starring = John Gielgud Diana Wynyard Fay Compton Stephen Murray music =… …   Wikipedia

  • Office of the Prime Minister (Canada) — The logo of the Office of the Prime Minister Canada …   Wikipedia

  • Spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia — The spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia is a position that has been occupied only by women to date, thus the spouse is usually known as the Prime Minister s wife.The Prime Minister s spouse has no official duties. In addition to assisting… …   Wikipedia

  • Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister — The Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister (PPS to the PM) is a senior official of the British Civil Service who acts as Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The holder of this office was formerly… …   Wikipedia

  • FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister — The FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister ( nl. FOD Kanselarij van de Eerste Minister, fr. SPF Chancellerie du Premier Ministre, de. FÖD Kanzlei des Premierministers) is a Federal Public Service in Belgium. It is comparable to the Chancellery of… …   Wikipedia

  • Questions to the Prime Minister — Prime Minister s Questions, oder offiziell Questions to the Prime Minister (Fragen an den Premierminister) ist die Bezeichnung für eine institutionalisierte Fragestunde in Großbritannien. Der Premierminister beantwortet jeden Mittwoch in der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”