# Rev. Mr. Waters — Indian Summer character guide

> Rev. Mr. Waters in Indian Summer by William Dean Howells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Waters, The Rev. Mr. Waters

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

An elderly clergyman who has escaped Haddam East Village for Florence, dispensing serene theories about youth, marriage, and the beautiful age of forty with disarming confidence.

## Who they are

Mr. Waters treats his Italian exile as a long-delayed education, wandering among churches and ruins while cheerfully philosophizing that a man at forty is still in his richest season, provided he is married. His gentle prodding nudges Colville toward declaring himself to Mrs. Bowen, making him an unwitting architect of the novel's romantic crisis. He is at once comic, wise, and slightly dangerous in his certainty about other people's lives.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/mrs_bowen)

_friendship_

Mrs. Bowen and Rev. Mr. Waters share a respectful and cordial friendship, often discussing moral and social matters.

### [Imogene Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/imogene_graham)

_social_

Imogene Graham and Rev. Mr. Waters are social acquaintances, with limited direct interaction.

### [Mrs. Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/mrs_bowen)

_friendship_

Mrs. Bowen and Rev. Mr. Waters share a respectful and cordial friendship, often discussing moral and social matters.

### [Mrs. Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/mrs_bowen)

_friendship_

Mrs. Bowen and Rev. Mr. Waters share a respectful and cordial friendship, often discussing moral and social matters.

### [Imogene Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/imogene_graham)

_social_

Imogene Graham and Rev. Mr. Waters are social acquaintances, with limited direct interaction.

### [Imogene Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/imogene_graham)

_social_

Imogene Graham and Rev. Mr. Waters are social acquaintances, with limited direct interaction.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as a lovely and serious conversationalist who talks about Savonarola and treats women as intellectual equals.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/vii)

Met at the library; discusses Savonarola and puritanism with Colville, offering intellectual stimulation and a sense of purpose.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/ix)

Appears unexpectedly at the Veglione, philosophizes about the Carnival, and asks about dancing.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xi)

Visited by Colville; reflects on his past in Haddam East Village and the nature of women's souls.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xii)

Visits Colville, misunderstands his situation, offers sympathy and a loan, and provides fatherly advice.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xiii)

Walks with Colville, discusses history, nature, and the futility of assassination, referencing the murder of Alessandro de' Medici.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xviii)

Engages in philosophical discussion with Colville about age disparities in marriage and the nature of ritualized religion; gently suggests Mr. Morton may be interested in Mrs. Bowen.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xix)

Mentioned as Mr. Morton; shows interest in Imogene and is drawn to her at the piano.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxi)

Among the visitors Colville recognizes during his convalescence.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxii)

Visits Colville at his hotel; offers moral and philosophical reflections on conscience, responsibility, and the nature of wrong.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxiii)

Mentioned as having misled Colville about Mr. Morton's proposal to Imogene.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxiv)

Gives away the bride at the wedding and is the single honored guest at the wedding feast.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/rev_mr_waters
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters