Dr. Wortle’s School · Character

Dr. Wortle

A domineering but generous clergyman-headmaster who has built Bowick School into a thriving preparatory establishment, and who will risk his reputation to shelter a mysterious usher and his wife.

major

Also known as Jeffrey Wortle, Mr. Wortle, Doctor Wortle, the Doctor

First appearance: I: Dr. Wortle

As a major figure in Dr. Wortle’s School, Dr. Wortle is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The protagonist, a successful and domineering rector and schoolmaster, known for his independence and generosity.

In the storyI: Dr. WortleOpen this moment free

See Dr. Wortle in I: Dr. Wortle Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Rector of Bowick and proprietor of a school for thirty boys at £200 a year, Dr. Wortle is a man who likes to be master, likes his justice recognized, and has quarrelled with three successive bishops without losing an ounce of self-esteem. He is an affectionate tyrant at home and abroad, and when the Peacockes' hidden past threatens scandal, he must decide whether to protect them or preserve the school he has spent twenty years building. His stubborn integrity — and his willingness to fight — sets the moral stakes of the entire novel.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Dr. Wortle sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Dr. Wortle in I: Dr. Wortle

Character Web

20 connections

A slice of how Dr. Wortle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Family
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Central school and clergy
Gossip and social circle

+15 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs as Dr. Wortle’s private defiance—his principled support of the Peacockes—collapses u…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Mr. Peacocke
professional · positive
The Bishop
rivalry · negative
Mrs. Wortle
family · positive
Mr. Puddicombe
professional · ambivalent
Lady Anne Clifford
social · positive
Lord Carstairs
professional · positive
Mary Wortle
family · positive
Robert Lefroy
rivalry · negative
Mr. Peacocke
professional · positive
The Bishop
rivalry · negative
Mr. Peacocke
professional · positive
Mr. Puddicombe
professional · ambivalent

Mr. Peacocke
Dr. Wortle is the headmaster and employer of Mr. Peacocke, but he also becomes a loyal friend and defender when Peacocke's secret past is revealed.
The Bishop
Dr. Wortle clashes with the Bishop over the scandal surrounding Mr. Peacocke, with the Bishop pressuring him to dismiss Peacocke.
Mrs. Wortle
Dr. Wortle and Mrs. Wortle are a devoted married couple, with Mrs. Wortle providing quiet support and moral grounding to her husband.
Mr. Puddicombe
Mr. Puddicombe is a clergyman and advisor who debates Dr. Wortle on the ethical and canonical issues of the Peacocke affair.
Lady Anne Clifford
Lady Anne Clifford is a wealthy and influential neighbor who interacts with Dr. Wortle in social and community contexts.
Lord Carstairs
Lord Carstairs is a pupil at Dr. Wortle's school, and their relationship is that of headmaster and student, though with mutual respect.
Mary Wortle
Dr. Wortle is a caring and protective father to his daughter Mary, who is his pride and joy.
Robert Lefroy
Dr. Wortle sees Robert Lefroy as a threat to the reputation of his school and to Mr. Peacocke's position, and he opposes him.
Mr. Peacocke
Dr. Wortle is the headmaster and employer of Mr. Peacocke, but he also becomes a loyal friend and defender when Peacocke's secret past is revealed.
The Bishop
Dr. Wortle clashes with the Bishop over the scandal surrounding Mr. Peacocke, with the Bishop pressuring him to dismiss Peacocke.
Mr. Peacocke
Dr. Wortle is the headmaster and employer of Mr. Peacocke, but he also becomes a loyal friend and defender when Peacocke's secret past is revealed.
Mr. Puddicombe
Mr. Puddicombe is a clergyman and advisor who debates Dr. Wortle on the ethical and canonical issues of the Peacocke affair.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Dr. Wortle in I: Dr. Wortle

In the story

Dr. Wortle appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: Dr. Wortle
The protagonist, a successful and domineering rector and schoolmaster, known for his independence and generosity.
The New Usher
The headmaster, who becomes intimate with Mr. Peacocke and is frustrated by the Peacockes' refusal to socialize, yet trusts him implicitly.
The Mystery
Feels pressured by the Bishop and Mrs. Stantiloup's rumors to question Mr. Peacocke about his past, but postpones the task due to his respect for the man and his own dread of the conversation.
IV: The Doctor Asks His Question
Repents of his promise to the Bishop, disliking the intrusion into Mr. Peacocke's private affairs. He resolves to ask the question but leave the decision to answer to Mr. Peacocke.
V: “Then We Must Go”
Struggles with his duty to the school versus his loyalty to Mr. Peacocke; maintains outward calm while internally anxious.
Lord Carstairs
He is pleased with Lord Carstairs's progress and supports the Earl's invitation, but senses that Mr. Peacocke's refusal signals an impending revelation.
VII: Robert Lefroy
Mentioned as the school's owner and the person to whom Lefroy intends to tell his story.
VIII: The Story Is Told
Confronts Mr. Peacocke, demanding the true story and showing his authority and concern.
IX: Mrs. Wortle and Mr. Puddicombe
Torn between his sympathy for Mr. Peacocke and his duty to his parish and school; decides to consult Mr. Puddicombe.
Mr. Peacocke Goes
Despite his initial anger, he is convinced by the arguments of his wife and Mr. Puddicombe that Mr. Peacocke must go. He secretly hopes that Ferdinand Lefroy is dead and devises a plan for Mr. Peacocke to travel to America to find evidence. He provides the money for the journey.
The Bishop
Defends his decision to let Mrs. Peacocke stay, tells the Bishop the story, and reacts angrily to Lady Margaret's hints.
I: Mr. Puddicombe’s Boot
Furious about the newspaper article, consults Mr. Puddicombe, and later visits Mrs. Peacocke to reassure her.
Everybody's Business
Furious about the libelous article and the Bishop's letter, he threatens legal action and demands the Bishop name the newspaper.
III: “Amo in the Cool of the Evening”
Consults lawyers, considers legal action, and wrestles with his anger toward the Bishop.
IV: “It Is Impossible”
Initially amused by the news, he acknowledges the impossibility of the match but shows a father's pride in his daughter's worth.
VII: “Nobody Has Condemned You Here”
Shows his wife a letter from a nobleman withdrawing his sons from the school, indicating the damage to the school's reputation. He confides his fear that the school will fail and that he may have to close it, which makes him very unhappy.
Lord Bracy's Letter
Receives Lord Bracy's letter about Carstairs' affection for Mary; discusses the potential engagement with his wife and then with Mary, showing cautious optimism.
Conclusion
The central figure whose actions and decisions have driven the plot; his integrity and conscience are ultimately vindicated.
X: The Doctor’s Answer
Decides to accept Lord Bracy's proposal and writes a letter expressing his willingness despite the acknowledged dangers.
Mr. Peacocke's Return
His spirits are buoyed by Mary's engagement; he energetically arranges Mr. Peacocke's return and remarriage, and burns his defensive letters after Puddicombe's counsel.
XII: Mary's Success
Accepts Carstairs' visit and later reflects on the Peacockes' return and the palace dinner, showing a pragmatic and forgiving nature.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Dr. Wortle unlock in the free preview.

See Dr. Wortle in I: Dr. Wortle