# Eli Watkins — Oil! character guide > Eli Watkins in Oil! by Upton Sinclair. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Eli, IV Eli, Eli Watkins, Mr. Eli Watkins, old Mr. Watkins **First appearance:** 0001-oil ## Snapshot A patriarch whose body erupts in jabbering, arm-jerking fits at religious gatherings, Eli Watkins rules his family with a fervor that unnerves outsiders and defines the world Bunny Ross stumbles into. ## Who they are Eli Watkins presides over the Watkins household as a figure of intense, almost frightening religious devotion, his strange vocal outbursts and convulsive worship leaving visitors like Bunny and his father shaken. He represents a world of hardscrabble faith and rural suspicion that stands in stark contrast to the oil-driven ambitions of the Ross family. His presence in the early chapters establishes the cultural and class divide that Bunny must navigate as he grows into his father's business and the broader conflicts of the novel. ## Relationships ### [Dad Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/dad_ross) _professional_ Dad Ross and Eli Watkins are business rivals in the oil industry, competing for land and resources. ### [Bunny Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/bunny_ross) _rivalry_ Bunny and Eli Watkins are adversaries, as Eli opposes her relationship with his son Paul. ### [Dad Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/dad_ross) _professional_ Dad Ross and Eli Watkins are business rivals in the oil industry, competing for land and resources. ### [Bunny Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/bunny_ross) _rivalry_ Bunny and Eli Watkins are adversaries, as Eli opposes her relationship with his son Paul. ### [Dad Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/dad_ross) _professional_ Dad Ross and Eli Watkins are business rivals in the oil industry, competing for land and resources. ### [Bunny Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/bunny_ross) _rivalry_ Bunny and Eli Watkins are adversaries, as Eli opposes her relationship with his son Paul. ## In the story ### [Oil!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/oil) Introduced as part of the Watkins family, tied to the land and oil prospects. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned by Paul as his 15-year-old brother who has visions and heals by laying on hands. ### [IV: The Ranch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iv-the-ranch) The old man who sells the ranch to Dad Ross; is seen patching his goat-pen and is described as feebleminded. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii) Shows the Rosses to the oak tree; known for having the 'shivers' and healing. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iv) Helps gather wood and water, and assists with the camp setup. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v) Brings milk and plates, excitedly discusses the 'yearthquake,' and probes the strangers about their beliefs and sins. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vi) Offers to clean the quail and receives half the birds for his family, highlighting their poverty. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/viii) Referred to as a 'black sheep' son by Mr. Watkins. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii) Called away to attend Mrs. Puffer; known for his healing and laying on of hands. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iv) Fiercely jealous of the attention given to Paul, he erupts in a religious frenzy, claiming his own signs and speaking in tongues. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v) Preaches a fervent sermon at the Apostolic Church of Paradise, using phrases taught by Dad. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as traveling as a faith healer, performing 'miracles' and collecting money, now calling himself the Messenger of the Second Coming. ### [VI: The Wildcat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vi-the-wildcat) Impressed by Paul's sudden rise, stops mentioning hellfire and brimstone. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii) Impressed by Paul's rise and stops mentioning hellfire and brimstone. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v) Arrives as a prophet in fine clothes and gives a blessing. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/i) His new church is mentioned as being located next to an oil derrick, symbolizing the intersection of faith and industry. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v) Now a full-fledged preacher with his own church; holds services for the strikers, preaching about faith and miracles. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iv) Preaches violent Old Testament sermons, exempt from the draft. ### [IX: The Victory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ix-the-victory) Holds revival meetings near the cantonment, has dropped rolling and tongues under influence of wealthy backers, improving his social graces. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/i) Holding revival meetings near the encampment, has become a social success under the guidance of wealthy disciples. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ii) Preaches in a tent revival, performs baptisms, and claims his prayers caused rain to aid the British in Picardy. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v) Old Mr. Watkins comes to take Ruth home and sends Sadie to do housework for Dad. ### [XII: The Siren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xii-the-siren) Mentioned as having disappeared; his absence is noted in the context of the family's struggles. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xi) Eli Watkins visits the Ross home seeking a second mortgage for his temple project, claiming divine guidance. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ii) Conducts a 'Bible Marathon' at Paradise, using religious spectacle to draw crowds and distract from labor unrest. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having a tabernacle with followers who are no match for Vernon Roscoe. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v) Prophet of the Third Revelation, now leading a massive tabernacle and broadcasting his sermons via radio. ### [XVIII: The Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xviii-the-flight) His sermons provide diversion for Dad; subject of rival religious showmen's attacks. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ii) Caught leaving a hotel with a woman not his wife, registered under a false name. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xi) Prophet who disappears and later reappears claiming to have been sustained by angels for 35 days. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as Paul's brother who calls the glory of the Lord what Paul calls fanaticism. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as having disappeared; Paul describes him as a hypocrite who preaches asceticism while secretly pursuing women. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vii) His booming radio sermons about resurrection provide a backdrop to Bunny's spiritual reflections. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ix) Arrives in a limousine, performs a silent healing ritual, and leaves without changing Paul's condition. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/x) Broadcasts a false account of Paul's repentance over the Tabernacle of the Third Revelation. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xv) Intervenes to ensure Paul's burial follows the Third Revelation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/eli_watkins - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters