# Mrs. Tappitt — Rachel Ray character guide

> Mrs. Tappitt in Rachel Ray by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Tappitt, Mrs. T.

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-preparations-for-mrs-tappitt-s-party

## Snapshot

The brewery mistress who measures status in party invitations and ball arrangements, and who will not let Rachel Ray's romance spoil her daughters' prospects.

## Who they are

Mrs. Tappitt presides over Baslehurst society with an eye to precedence and a memory for slights, orchestrating her ball so that her daughters get the best partners and Luke Rowan is properly displayed. When Luke's attentions to Rachel threaten her plans, she joins Mrs. Rowan in a visit to the Ray cottage, her civility barely concealing her determination to end the match. Her social maneuvering reveals how thoroughly the marriage market governs provincial life, and how little room it leaves for genuine feeling.

## In the story

### [III: The Arm in the Clouds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/iii-the-arm-in-the-clouds)

Begins to dislike Rachel after learning of her walking with the brewery party; schemes for her daughters.

### [Mr. Comfort Gives His Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/v-mr-comfort-gives-his-advice)

Hesitates about inviting Rachel to the party, but is overruled by her daughters.

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

Works to secure Mr. Tappitt's approval and funds for the party, using domestic tactics like a beefsteak pie.

### [An Account of Mrs. Tappitt’s Ball—Commenced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/vii-an-account-of-mrs-tappitt-s-ball-commenced)

Hosts the ball; comments on Rachel's dancing and her arrival in the Cornbury carriage.

### [An Account of Mrs. Tappitt's Ball—Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/viii-an-account-of-mrs-tappitt-s-ball-concluded)

Hosts the ball, watches Rachel with an unkind eye, and expresses concern that Rachel's head might be turned.

### [X: Luke Rowan Declares His Plans as to the Brewery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/x-luke-rowan-declares-his-plans-as-to-the-brewery)

Mrs. Tappitt discusses the ball and Rowan's behavior with her husband and daughters, now opposing a match with Rowan.

### [Luke Rowan Takes His Tea Quite Like a Steady Young Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xi-luke-rowan-takes-his-tea-quite-like-a-steady-young-man)

Shows sarcasm and hostility toward Luke during the afternoon; leads the ladies out of the dining room stiffly.

### [Mr. Tappitt in His Countinghouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xiii-mr-tappitt-in-his-countinghouse)

Mentioned as having shared information with Mrs. Rowan about Rachel Ray; supports Tappitt's resolve.

### [Maternal Eloquence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xv-maternal-eloquence)

Joins Mrs. Rowan in visiting the cottage, blaming Rachel for the brewery troubles and opposing the marriage.

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

Viciously spreads gossip about Luke and Rachel; is cowed by Mrs. Cornbury's defense of Rachel.

### [XVIII: Dr. Harford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xviii-dr-harford)

Mrs. Tappitt visits the rectory and spreads gossip about Rachel and Luke, criticizing Rachel and defending her own family's caution.

### [Domestic Politics at the Brewery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxii-domestic-politics-at-the-brewery)

Worried about ruin; discusses family finances with her daughters and leans toward accepting Rowan's retirement offer.

### [In Which the Question of the Brewery Is Settled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxvii-in-which-the-question-of-the-brewery-is-settled)

Manages her husband's illness and uses his weakness to secure his agreement to leave the brewery.

### [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)

Resigned to the brewery being abandoned to Rowan but vehemently opposes Rachel becoming mistress of the brewery house.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxx-conclusion)

Mrs. Tappitt asserts herself after Tappitt's abdication, demanding her rights based on the thousand a year.

## Links

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