# Mrs. Prime — Rachel Ray character guide > Mrs. Prime in Rachel Ray by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Prime, first Mrs. Prime, Dorothea Prime **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-ray-family ## Snapshot Rachel's widowed sister, who has made a religion of severity and wears her grief like armor against any hint of feminine softness. ## Who they are Dorothea Prime was widowed before twenty and has spent her years since cultivating a harsh piety that treats cheerfulness as sin and beauty as vanity. Her lumpy caps and brown bombazine announce her rejection of the world's pleasures, and she rules her mother's cottage with a righteousness that leaves little room for mercy. Her disapproval of Rachel's romance with Luke Rowan carries the weight of moral authority, but Trollope shows us a woman whose genuine faith has curdled into something joyless and controlling. ## Relationships ### [Rachel Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/rachel_ray) _family_ Mrs. Prime is Rachel's stern, religiously rigid older sister who often tries to control Rachel's choices and judge her behavior. ### [Mrs. Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mrs_ray) _family_ Mrs. Prime is Mrs. Ray's eldest daughter, whose domineering and judgmental attitude strains their mother-daughter bond. ### [Rachel Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/rachel_ray) _family_ Mrs. Prime is Rachel's stern, religiously rigid older sister who often tries to control Rachel's choices and judge her behavior. ### [Mrs. Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mrs_ray) _family_ Mrs. Prime is Mrs. Ray's eldest daughter, whose domineering and judgmental attitude strains their mother-daughter bond. ### [Rachel Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/rachel_ray) _family_ Mrs. Prime is Rachel's stern, religiously rigid older sister who often tries to control Rachel's choices and judge her behavior. ### [Mrs. Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mrs_ray) _family_ Mrs. Prime is Mrs. Ray's eldest daughter, whose domineering and judgmental attitude strains their mother-daughter bond. ## In the story ### [The Ray Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/i-the-ray-family) The elder daughter, a stern widow who embraces a harsh, joyless piety. She loves power, runs a Dorcas society, and is deeply suspicious of any worldly pleasure, including Rachel's association with a young man. ### [The Young Man from the Brewery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/ii-the-young-man-from-the-brewery) Reported Rachel's walk with Luke Rowan to their mother and urged that Rachel be kept in subordination regarding Dorcas meetings. ### [III: The Arm in the Clouds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/iii-the-arm-in-the-clouds) Suspicious and critical of Rachel; observes her with Luke in the churchyard. ### [IV: What Shall Be Done About It?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/iv-what-shall-be-done-about-it) Confronts Rachel about the churchyard meeting, threatens to leave the cottage if Rachel is not disciplined, and maintains a stern, unforgiving demeanor. ### [Mr. Comfort Gives His Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/v-mr-comfort-gives-his-advice) Vehemently opposes Rachel's party attendance, threatening to leave the cottage in protest. ### [Preparations for Mrs. Tappitt's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/vi-preparations-for-mrs-tappitt-s-party) Visits Mr. Prong to seek his counsel against the party and resolves to be firm in her opposition. ### [IX: Mr. Prong at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/ix-mr-prong-at-home) Leaves Bragg's End Cottage after Rachel's ball attendance; moves to Miss Pucker's; meets Mr. Prong and considers his marriage proposal, reflecting on her past and financial independence. ### [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) Visits to seek advice about Mr. Prong's proposal but is angered by Luke's presence; argues with her mother and sister about the impropriety of the courtship. ### [XIV: Luke Rowan Pays a Second Visit to Bragg’s End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xiv-luke-rowan-pays-a-second-visit-to-bragg-s-end) Mentioned as the daughter Mrs. Ray is visiting; expected to lecture about Luke Rowan. ### [XVI: Rachel Ray’s First Love-Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xvi-rachel-ray-s-first-love-letter) Visits the cottage and restrains herself from criticizing Rachel's situation, but discusses her own unresolved marriage negotiations with Mr. Prong. ### [Electioneering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xvii-electioneering) Conveys rumors of Luke's debts to Mrs. Ray; conflicted about Mr. Prong's pastoral authority. ### [XVIII: Dr. Harford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xviii-dr-harford) Mrs. Prime is mentioned as having brought earlier reports about Rachel and Luke, and Rachel's mother considers asking her for advice. ### [Mr. Comfort Calls at the Cottage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xix-mr-comfort-calls-at-the-cottage) Mentioned as being engaged to Mr. Prong, causing concern for Mr. Comfort. ### [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) Visited by Rachel; declines dinner invitation but agrees to come for tea with Miss Pucker and Mr. Prong. ### [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 Bragg's End with Mr. Prong and Miss Pucker; grows black and angry at Rachel's silence toward Miss Pucker. ### [The Election at Baslehurst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxiv-the-election-at-baslehurst) Argues with Mr. Prong about voting for a Jewish candidate, leading to their separation. ### [The Baslehurst Gazette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxv-the-baslehurst-gazette) Mrs. Prime announces the end of her engagement to Mr. Prong and asks to return to the cottage, but is reluctant to recant her earlier accusations against Rachel. ### [Cornbury Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxvi-cornbury-grange) Mentioned as the other daughter at the cottage who doubted Luke. ### [What Took Place at Bragg's End Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxviii-what-took-place-at-bragg-s-end-farm) Present at the cottage, reading a serious book, and feels excluded from the conference Mrs. Sturt arranges. ### [Mrs. Prime Reads Her Recantation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxix-mrs-prime-reads-her-recantation) Reads a serious book while waiting, struggling to concentrate. Initially makes an ill-natured remark about Luke but eventually recants, offering a formal blessing on the marriage. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxx-conclusion) Mrs. Prime stays at the cottage and may still be courted by Mr. Prong. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters/mrs_prime - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/characters