# Mr. Puddicombe — Dr. Wortle’s School character guide

> Mr. Puddicombe in Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Rev. Mr. Puddicombe

**First appearance:** 0008-part-iii-ix-mrs-wortle-and-mr-puddicombe

## Snapshot

A dry, hard-featured neighbouring clergyman whose blunt moral honesty cuts through Dr. Wortle's self-defence and quietly proves the most loyal friendship in the book.

## Who they are

When the Peacocke scandal drives parents to withdraw their sons, Puddicombe refuses to flatter the Doctor's drafted letter, insisting it tells only half the truth and that a man should never excuse himself. His severity is not coldness: he offers to travel to London and stand beside Peacocke at the wedding, giving the marriage clerical countenance. He embodies the novel's central argument — that mercy and moral strictness can live in the same austere breast.

## Relationships

### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle)

_professional_

Mr. Puddicombe is a clergyman and advisor who debates Dr. Wortle on the ethical and canonical issues of the Peacocke affair.

### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke)

_professional_

Mr. Puddicombe, as a clergyman, engages with Mr. Peacocke on the moral and religious aspects of his marriage situation.

### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle)

_professional_

Mr. Puddicombe is a clergyman and advisor who debates Dr. Wortle on the ethical and canonical issues of the Peacocke affair.

### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle)

_professional_

Mr. Puddicombe is a clergyman and advisor who debates Dr. Wortle on the ethical and canonical issues of the Peacocke affair.

### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke)

_professional_

Mr. Puddicombe, as a clergyman, engages with Mr. Peacocke on the moral and religious aspects of his marriage situation.

## In the story

### [V: “Then We Must Go”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-v-then-we-must-go)

Asks pointed questions about the curacy, implying the Bishop's involvement and adding to the Doctor's discomfort.

### [IX: Mrs. Wortle and Mr. Puddicombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-ix-mrs-wortle-and-mr-puddicombe)

Agrees to preach and visit the Doctor, becoming the confidant for the troubling story.

### [Mr. Peacocke Goes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-x-mr-peacocke-goes)

His cold logic and advice that the Peacockes must part and leave the school have a profound effect on Dr. Wortle, even though the Doctor resents him for it.

### [I: Mr. Puddicombe’s Boot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-i-mr-puddicombe-s-boot)

Advises Dr. Wortle not to respond to the newspaper, using the metaphor of his dirty boot to illustrate the futility of engaging with mud.

### [Mr. Peacocke's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xi-mr-peacocke-s-return)

Advises Dr. Wortle against sending his letters and agrees to accompany the couple to London for the remarriage.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_puddicombe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters