Object

Bartlet Family's Jefferson Bible

The Jefferson Bible stands as the Bartlet family's cherished heirloom, a historical volume kept in a climate-controlled vault by the New Hampshire Historical Society. Charlie relays Mr. Cravenly's refusal to loan it for the inauguration, prompting Bartlet's wry insistence on using this relic despite the denial. The discussion highlights its status as a personal ceremonial essential, grounding Bartlet's ritual amid Oval Office tensions.

2 appearances

Purpose

Ceremonial Bible for the presidential inauguration swearing-in

Significance

Serves as a family relic that reveals Bartlet's stubborn pride and private ritual needs, briefly dominating conversation before Khundu crisis news forces a pivot to urgent policy demands.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E14 · Inauguration Part I

The Bible, Mr. Cravenly, and Khundu

The Bartlet family's Jefferson Bible is the contested ceremonial prop: Bartlet insists on using this personal relic for his oath, Charlie relays the museum's refusal, and the Bible functions narratively as the tangible expression of Bartlet's need for personal continuity amid public ritual.

Before: Housed in the New Hampshire Historical Society's collections; in practice treated as donor-owned but physically held by the museum.

After: Remains in the Historical Society's stewardship (not loaned); the President's request is recorded but not fulfilled in this beat.

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S4E14 · Inauguration Part I

Bible Ritual Interrupted by Khundu Massacre

The Bartlet family Jefferson Bible is the ceremonial object at issue: its availability, provenance, and physical vulnerability catalyze an intimate exchange that reveals presidential ritual needs and personal ownership conflicts before the conversation is overtaken by a security emergency.

Before: Kept in the New Hampshire Historical Society's care (sold at auction earlier, donated back), stored under conservation protocols and effectively unavailable for loan.

After: Remains unavailable; the refusal stands and the Bible is not brought to the inauguration (no change within the scene).

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