# Ephraim Tellwright — Anna of the Five Towns character guide > Ephraim Tellwright in Anna of the Five Towns by Arnold Bennett. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ephraim, Tellwright, Old Tellwright **First appearance:** 0002-anna-of-the-five-towns ## Who they are A Wesleyan financier who counts coins and souls with equal dexterity, Ephraim rules his household with the same iron thrift he brings to circuit accounts. ## Relationships ### [Anna Tellwright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/anna_tellwright) _family_ Ephraim is Anna's miserly and domineering father, whose coldness and financial control create a tense, oppressive relationship. ### [Henry Mynors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/henry_mynors) _professional_ Ephraim respects Henry as a shrewd businessman and approves of him as a son-in-law, viewing the match as financially sound. ### [Willie Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/willie_price) _professional_ Ephraim is a creditor to Willie's failing pottery business, treating him with cold financial ruthlessness. ### [Agnes Tellwright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/agnes_tellwright) _family_ Agnes is Ephraim's younger daughter, living under his strict and unaffectionate rule, though she is less directly oppressed than Anna. ### [Mr. Sutton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/mr_sutton) _professional_ Ephraim and Mr. Sutton are fellow businessmen and chapel members, interacting with mutual respect but little warmth. ### [Willie Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/willie_price) _professional_ Ephraim is a creditor to Willie's failing pottery business, treating him with cold financial ruthlessness. ### [Anna Tellwright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/anna_tellwright) _family_ Ephraim is Anna's miserly and domineering father, whose coldness and financial control create a tense, oppressive relationship. ### [Anna Tellwright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/anna_tellwright) _family_ Ephraim is Anna's miserly and domineering father, whose coldness and financial control create a tense, oppressive relationship. ### [Henry Mynors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/henry_mynors) _professional_ Ephraim respects Henry as a shrewd businessman and approves of him as a son-in-law, viewing the match as financially sound. ### [Mr. Sutton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/mr_sutton) _professional_ Ephraim and Mr. Sutton are fellow businessmen and chapel members, interacting with mutual respect but little warmth. ### [Willie Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/willie_price) _professional_ Ephraim is a creditor to Willie's failing pottery business, treating him with cold financial ruthlessness. ### [Henry Mynors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/henry_mynors) _professional_ Ephraim respects Henry as a shrewd businessman and approves of him as a son-in-law, viewing the match as financially sound. ## In the story ### [Anna of the Five Towns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/anna-of-the-five-towns) Anna's domineering father, whose tyranny over her finances and life is a central force in the chapter. ### [II: The Miser’s Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/ii-the-miser-s-daughter) Ephraim is portrayed as a miserly, wealthy, and enigmatic figure whose life story—from his early accumulation of wealth to his withdrawal from Methodism—is recounted in detail. ### [III: The Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/iii-the-birthday) Transfers control of Anna's inheritance to her; instructs her to collect rent from Titus Price; displays a mix of sternness and grudging respect for her new role. ### [IV: A Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/iv-a-visit) Interrogates Anna about the money from Price, takes her bank books, and receives Mynors at home for supper. ### [V: The Revival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/v-the-revival) Examines Mynors' financial documents and approves the investment, instructing Anna to convey his message. ### [VI: Willie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/vi-willie) Ephraim pressures Anna to handle Willie Price's visit, revealing his plan to force Titus Price into bankruptcy. He is angry about the forgotten bacon. ### [VII: The Sewing Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/vii-the-sewing-meeting) Receives the invitation note, shows gruff indifference to Anna's dilemma, and is seen at the far end of the garden during Mynors' visit. ### [On the Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/viii-on-the-bank) Ephraim supervises Anna's financial affairs, draws up the partnership deed, and returns from Axe in a bad temper, rebuking Anna for being out. ### [IX: The Treat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/ix-the-treat) Depicted as a natural house-tyrant, instinctive and unreflective; grudgingly consents to Anna's trip; outwitted into pledging £25 to the building fund; gives Anna a florin for treat tickets. ### [X: The Isle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/x-the-isle) Ephraim reluctantly consents to Anna's holiday after she secretly uses a money order, and he gives a grudging official sanction at the departure. ### [XI: The Downfall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/xi-the-downfall) Ephraim reacts to the suicide with cold pragmatism, noting suicide runs in Price's blood. He also makes cynical remarks about Mynors marrying Anna for her money. ### [At the Priory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/xii-at-the-priory) Ephraim's anger reaches a new peak, but his power over Anna is diminished as she realizes she can survive his fury. ### [XIII: The Bazaar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/chapters/xiii-the-bazaar) Refuses Anna's request for £100, then angrily gives her the bankbooks and wash his hands of her money; continues to hold Anna's securities. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters/ephraim_tellwright - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anna_of_the_five_towns_se/characters