Phoebe, Junior · Character

Old Mr. Tozer

Phoebe's grandfather, a prosperous butterman and leading Salem deacon who has outlived his fondness for clever young ministers and now trusts only consistency.

supporting

Also known as Old Tozer, Mr. Tozer, Notwithstanding Tozer

First appearance: i the pastor s progress

As a supporting figure in Phoebe, Junior, Old Mr. Tozer is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Phoebe's grandfather, a butterman in Carlingford; he is mentioned as an excellent man but old-fashioned and not refined.

In the storyV: Self-DevotionOpen this moment free

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Old Tozer is the solid, greasy, respectable shopkeeper whose money and chapel membership make him a power in Carlingford even as his granddaughter's refinement makes him uneasy. He has loved clever young men in his day—more well than wisely, as everyone knows—and now delivers long sermons against them from his little room, twiddling his thumbs. His butterman's fortune and his deacon's vote give him real leverage over Salem and over Phoebe's prospects, and his wary affection for his grandchild is one of the novel's most quietly complicated ties.

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See Old Mr. Tozer in i the pastor s progress

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Old Mr. Tozer sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central characters and family
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as the May children confront their father’s sudden…

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In the story

Old Mr. Tozer appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V: Self-Devotion
Phoebe's grandfather, a butterman in Carlingford; he is mentioned as an excellent man but old-fashioned and not refined.
X: Papa
A Dissenter who observes Mr. May with his children and remarks 'He's a rum un, he is.'
XI: Phoebe’s Preparations
Phoebe's grandfather; mentioned as part of the family she is going to care for.
XII: Grange Lane
Greets Phoebe at the station, is impressed by her lack of pride, and worries about how she will get along with his wife.
XIII: The Tozer Family
Proudly plans to show Phoebe off to the community as a specimen of Tozer blood.
XVI: The New Gentleman
Phoebe's grandfather, a greasy old shopkeeper who proudly invites Northcote to tea and boasts of his long-standing support for the connection.
XVII: A Public Meeting
Disappears to put on his best coat to attend the meeting, eager to show off Phoebe.
Tea
Praises Phoebe's domestic skills and enjoys the tea.
A Disclosure
Mr. Tozer is mentioned as having forgiven Mr. Northcote and shown him kindness, which deeply impresses Northcote.
XL: The Sinned-Against
Furious about a forged bill involving Cotsdean; loses his temper and curses in front of Phoebe.
The Conflict
Overawed by Clarence's wealth, he worships the young man and congratulates him on the engagement, momentarily forgetting the forgery.
XLIV: Phoebe’s Last Trial
Anxious and broken down, pleads with Phoebe not to offend Mr. Copperhead, and is distressed by the conflict.

Chapter companion notes

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See Old Mr. Tozer in i the pastor s progress

See Old Mr. Tozer in V: Self-Devotion