The Vicar of Wakefield, although a man of culture and learning, is a poor man at business. Despite the fact that he inherited a large fortune, he loses it through the dishonesty of others, and at the age of fifty we find him living in a humble cottage, fighting desperately to support his large family. At this juncture two strangers introduce themselves to the Vicar. One is the young squire who owns the cottage in which the Vicar lives, and the other, Sir Witham, the squire's uncle. Sir Witham, however, does not disclose his rank, but poses as a simple country gentleman. The squire becomes infatuated with the Vicar's elder daughter, Olivia, and against the warnings of her father, she is induced to elope with him, the squire having arranged for a mock marriage. Later Olivia discovers how she had been tricked, and leaves the squire, who visits his wrath upon the entire family by having the Vicar imprisoned for debt. In prison the Vicar inspires the admiration and affection of all his fellow prisoners, to whom he teaches the comfort of religion. Among his converts is the squire's tool, who arranged for the wedding of Olivia and the squire. On learning that Olivia is the daughter of the Vicar, this fellow confesses that to play a trick on the squire, whom he really hates, he had furnished him a real minister, instead of a bogus one. The squire's uncle, Sir Witham, on learning the true state of affairs, forces the squire to ask Olivia's pardon on his knees, and the two are reunited. Sir Witham then discloses his identity and asks for the hand of Sophia. The Vicar is released from prison, and he and his family look forward to a future of happiness and plenty.