Chapter V opens with Dr. Grantly arriving at Hiram’s Hospital determined to confront the growing dissatisfaction among the bedesmen. He sees their petition for increased allowances not as a legitimate concern, but as a threat to ecclesiastical order. Though his confidence is unwavering, he underestimates the resolve of the elderly residents who, while respectful of Mr. Harding, are increasingly aware of the financial discrepancies. Dr. Grantly, in full clerical dignity, speaks to them with authority but little empathy, assuming that eloquence and clerical presence will silence their doubts. His tone, however, carries a measure of condescension that does not sit well with all. Mr. Bunce, one of the elder men, stands out as both loyal to Mr. Harding and quietly skeptical of Grantly’s approach.

Mr. Harding’s discomfort grows as the visit continues, watching his son-in-law dominate the conversation with arguments that ignore the core of the residents’ frustrations. Harding, by nature gentle and unassertive, is unwilling to challenge Grantly directly, even though he senses that the confrontation only worsens the mood. The residents are not openly rebellious, but their silence speaks volumes. While they refrain from outright protest during the visit, murmurs of dissatisfaction linger once Grantly leaves. Harding’s internal conflict deepens as he begins to doubt not just the process, but the morality of his own income. The legal complexities do not ease his heart, which remains weighed down by a desire for fairness.

The figure of Handy, less thoughtful but influential among the bedesmen, adds tension by feeding expectations that go beyond reason. He stirs discontent by suggesting they have been cheated for years, exaggerating what reform might offer. This rhetoric gains traction with the more impressionable members of the group, widening the gap between tradition and reform. Grantly’s failure to connect with them on a human level leaves space for these voices to grow louder. Mr. Bunce, however, advocates for patience and reminds the group that Mr. Harding has always treated them with respect. Yet, even Bunce struggles to hold back the tide of resentment rising among men who feel overlooked.

Behind the scenes, Eleanor watches all this unfold with growing concern. Her love for her father and her awareness of public criticism—especially from the press—make her question how long they can maintain their current life. She senses the pressure that Mr. Harding carries and fears the damage it may do, not just socially but emotionally. Eleanor wants to defend her father but feels powerless against the machinery of legal argument and newspaper rhetoric. Her concern is not lost on Mr. Harding, who tries to comfort her, though he cannot offer real assurances. The pressure from both public opinion and Grantly’s ambition is taking its toll.

Grantly’s confidence in Sir Abraham Haphazard further reveals his belief in institutional might over personal conscience. He is sure that legal precedent will vindicate their position, regardless of how it may appear in public perception. Yet, the more he relies on legal maneuvering, the more disconnected he becomes from the sentiment in Barchester. Reformers are not simply attacking the law; they are questioning the values behind it. This distinction is one Grantly refuses to entertain, choosing instead to paint the conflict in black-and-white terms—loyalty to the Church or betrayal of tradition. Harding, however, sees the gray areas, and they haunt him.

As Dr. Grantly leaves, he remains certain that his speech and legal preparations will resolve the matter. However, those closest to the hospital—Eleanor, Mr. Bunce, and even Harding—know that the real issues have not been addressed. They sense that public opinion and moral clarity are not so easily overridden. Mr. Harding finds himself caught between loyalty to his family and his own emerging sense of justice. Trollope’s portrait of these intersecting pressures illustrates how institutions resist change, even when the truth beneath them begins to shift. This chapter shows that the outcome will not be shaped by law alone but by conscience and the courage to act upon it.