# Mr. Arabin — Barchester Towers character guide > Mr. Arabin in Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Francis Arabin, the Rev. Francis Arabin, Lazarus **First appearance:** 0019-xx-mr-arabin ## Snapshot A scholarly, unworldly clergyman whose cheerful calm in the midst of crisis makes him both a puzzle and a quiet hope to those around him. ## Who they are Arabin is the new vicar of St. Ewold's, a bookish man whom the archdeacon enlists in the fight against Slope. His apparent gaiety during Eleanor's troubles irritates her family, who suspect him of indifference or worse, while he quietly doubts that she cares for Slope at all. His clear-eyed counsel and his own unspoken feelings make him the hinge on which the novel's romantic and ecclesiastical plots both swing. ## Relationships ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _romantic_ Eleanor and Mr. Arabin develop a deep mutual affection and eventually marry, overcoming initial misunderstandings. ### [Archdeacon Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/archdeacon_grantly) _friendship_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Arabin are allies and fellow clergymen, with Grantly supporting Arabin's career. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _rivalry_ Mr. Arabin and Mr. Slope are theological and personal rivals, competing for influence and Eleanor's affection. ### [Signora Neroni](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/signora_neroni) _social_ Mr. Arabin is briefly fascinated by Signora Neroni's charm but ultimately resists her flirtations. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _romantic_ Eleanor and Mr. Arabin develop a deep mutual affection and eventually marry, overcoming initial misunderstandings. ### [Archdeacon Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/archdeacon_grantly) _friendship_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Arabin are allies and fellow clergymen, with Grantly supporting Arabin's career. ### [Signora Neroni](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/signora_neroni) _social_ Mr. Arabin is briefly fascinated by Signora Neroni's charm but ultimately resists her flirtations. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _romantic_ Eleanor and Mr. Arabin develop a deep mutual affection and eventually marry, overcoming initial misunderstandings. ### [Archdeacon Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/archdeacon_grantly) _friendship_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Arabin are allies and fellow clergymen, with Grantly supporting Arabin's career. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _rivalry_ Mr. Arabin and Mr. Slope are theological and personal rivals, competing for influence and Eleanor's affection. ### [Signora Neroni](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/signora_neroni) _social_ Mr. Arabin is briefly fascinated by Signora Neroni's charm but ultimately resists her flirtations. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _rivalry_ Mr. Arabin and Mr. Slope are theological and personal rivals, competing for influence and Eleanor's affection. ## In the story ### [The New Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xiv-the-new-champion) Agrees to accept the living of St. Ewold's; described as a High Churchman, fellow of Lazarus, a poet and polemical writer, and a thorough gentleman; will stay at Plumstead for a month. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xx-mr-arabin) Protagonist of the chapter; his spiritual crisis, conversion back to Anglicanism, and character are explored in depth. ### [St. Ewold’s Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxi-st-ewold-s-parsonage) Inspects St. Ewold's church and parsonage, discusses the parish with the archdeacon, and engages in a philosophical conversation with Eleanor about clerical conflict. ### [The Thornes of Ullathorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxii-the-thornes-of-ullathorne) To read himself in at St. Ewold's on Sunday, accompanied by the archdeacon and Mrs. Bold. ### [Mr. Arabin Reads Himself in at St. Ewold's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-arabin-reads-himself-in-at-st-ewold-s) New vicar of St. Ewold's, nervous about his first service but performs adequately. ### [Mr. Slope Manages Matters Very Cleverly at Puddingdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxiv-mr-slope-manages-matters-very-cleverly-at-puddingdale) Attends Dr. Stanhope's party and is charmed by Signora Neroni, praising her beauty and intellect, which irritates Eleanor. ### [Mrs. Bold Is Entertained by Dr. and Mrs. Grantly at Plumstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxviii-mrs-bold-is-entertained-by-dr-and-mrs-grantly-at-plumstead) Is told by the archdeacon about Eleanor's potential involvement with Mr. Slope and becomes grave and silent. ### [Another Love Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxx-another-love-scene) Realizes he is in love with Eleanor Bold, though he had not previously admitted it to himself. He is tormented by jealousy and self-doubt, and attempts to reconcile with her after she accuses him of despising her. ### [Oxford—The Master and Tutor of Lazarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxiv-oxford-the-master-and-tutor-of-lazarus) Struggles with his feelings for Eleanor Bold, resolves to give up hope, and later visits Oxford to confer with Dr. Gwynne and Tom Staple. ### [Ullathorne Sports—Act I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxvi-ullathorne-sports-act-i) Observes Mr. Slope handing Eleanor out of the carriage and feels sick at heart. ### [The Bishop Sits Down to Breakfast, and the Dean Dies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-bishop-sits-down-to-breakfast-and-the-dean-dies) Distressed by Eleanor's arrival with Mr. Slope; confesses his admiration for Eleanor to Signora Neroni. ### [Mrs. Bold Confides Her Sorrow to Her Friend Miss Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xli-mrs-bold-confides-her-sorrow-to-her-friend-miss-stanhope) Seen in the drawing-room with Signora Neroni, awkwardly silent in Eleanor's presence. ### [Mr. Slope's Parting Interview with the Signora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlvi-mr-slope-s-parting-interview-with-the-signora) Pays a second visit to the Signora, feeling troubled by his own feelings for Mrs. Bold, and stands by awkwardly during the Signora's attack on Mr. Slope. ### [The Dean Elect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlvii-the-dean-elect) Rumored to be spending time with Signora Neroni, causing concern for the archdeacon. ### [Miss Thorne Shows Her Talent at Matchmaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlviii-miss-thorne-shows-her-talent-at-matchmaking) Visits Ullathorne, initially talks about Signora Neroni, but later proposes to Eleanor during a sunset conversation. ### [The Beelzebub Colt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlix-the-beelzebub-colt) Affirms his love for Eleanor and accepts the trust of their engagement. ### [The Archdeacon Is Satisfied with the State of Affairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/l-the-archdeacon-is-satisfied-with-the-state-of-affairs) Engaged to Eleanor; receives the archdeacon's approval and plans for the wedding. ### [The New Dean Takes Possession of the Deanery, and the New Warden of the Hospital](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/lii-the-new-dean-takes-possession-of-the-deanery-and-the-new-warden-of-the-hospital) Appointed Dean of Barchester through the combined efforts of Mr. Harding, the archdeacon, and the Master of Lazarus; his engagement to Eleanor is a factor in the scheme. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/liii-conclusion) Becomes Dean of Barchester; marries Eleanor; is a studious, hardworking clergyman; lives at the deanery and preaches nearly every Sunday. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters