# Mr. Prong — Rachel Ray character guide

> Mr. Prong in Rachel Ray by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Samuel Prong, IX Mr. Prong

**First appearance:** 0008-ix-mr-prong-at-home

## Snapshot

The Dissenting minister courting Dorothea Prime, whose mild authority over his intended bride reveals the quiet power struggles inside Baslehurst's pious set.

## Who they are

Mr. Prong sits among the Dorcas meetings and tea-table devotions, pressing Rachel's hand and gently urging Dorothea to accept her mother's dinner invitation. His soft command meets his betrothed's sniff of contempt, exposing how little sway even a clergyman holds over a woman as stubborn as Mrs. Prime. He matters because his engagement to Dorothea sharpens the contrast between the sisters' worlds and feeds the gossip that colors Rachel's reputation.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mrs_ray)

_psychological_

Mr. Prong is a manipulative evangelical minister who exerts undue influence over Mrs. Ray, exploiting her religious guilt.

### [Rachel Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/rachel_ray)

_psychological_

Mr. Prong attempts to impose his religious authority on Rachel, creating tension as she resists his interference.

### [Rachel Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/rachel_ray)

_psychological_

Mr. Prong attempts to impose his religious authority on Rachel, creating tension as she resists his interference.

### [Mrs. Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mrs_ray)

_psychological_

Mr. Prong is a manipulative evangelical minister who exerts undue influence over Mrs. Ray, exploiting her religious guilt.

### [Mrs. Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mrs_ray)

_psychological_

Mr. Prong is a manipulative evangelical minister who exerts undue influence over Mrs. Ray, exploiting her religious guilt.

### [Rachel Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/rachel_ray)

_psychological_

Mr. Prong attempts to impose his religious authority on Rachel, creating tension as she resists his interference.

## In the story

### [Preparations for Mrs. Tappitt's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/vi-preparations-for-mrs-tappitt-s-party)

Advises Mrs. Prime, criticizes Mr. Comfort's leniency, and supports her stance against the party.

### [IX: Mr. Prong at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/ix-mr-prong-at-home)

Proposes to Mrs. Prime, emphasizing spiritual duty and downplaying material wealth, though he secretly values money; arranges a meeting to discuss the proposal further.

### [XII: Rachel Ray Thinks “She Does Like Him”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xii-rachel-ray-thinks-she-does-like-him)

Mentioned as having proposed to Mrs. Prime, who is considering his offer.

### [Electioneering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xvii-electioneering)

Urges Mrs. Prime to investigate Luke's character and influence her mother.

### [XX: Showing What Rachel Ray Thought When She Sat on the Stile, and How She Wrote Her Letter Afterwards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xx-showing-what-rachel-ray-thought-when-she-sat-on-the-stile-and-how-she-wrote-her-letter-afterwards)

Present at Mrs. Prime's lodgings; attempts to assert authority over Mrs. Prime regarding the visit.

### [Mrs. Ray Goes to Exeter, and Meets a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxi-mrs-ray-goes-to-exeter-and-meets-a-friend)

Visits with Mrs. Prime and Miss Pucker; speaks to Mrs. Ray about his proposed marriage to Dorothea, expressing gratification at becoming part of the family.

### [The Election at Baslehurst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxiv-the-election-at-baslehurst)

Defends his decision to vote for Mr. Hart, leading to a rift with Mrs. Prime.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mr_prong
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters