# Dr. Raste — Riceyman Steps character guide > Dr. Raste in Riceyman Steps by Arnold Bennett. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Raste, poor Dr. Raste **First appearance:** 0007-part-i-viii-the-carving-knife ## Snapshot The local doctor whose well-meant inquiries about Elsie and Joe set off a quiet crisis inside Henry Earlforward's carefully ordered mind. ## Who they are Dr. Raste is a managing, interfering sort of man—at least in Henry's irritated estimation—who asks whether Elsie is 'a good girl' and whether she might marry his shell-shock patient. His questions are kindly meant, but they disturb the calm deep of Henry's routine and plant the fear of domestic derangement. He reappears throughout the novel as the practical, medical counterweight to Henry's philosophy of endless time, and his diagnoses carry weight precisely because he is not a sentimental man. ## Relationships ### [Elsie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/elsie) _professional_ Dr. Raste is Elsie's physician, treating her with genuine concern and kindness, though their interactions are mostly medical. ### [Henry Earlforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/henry_earlforward) _professional_ Dr. Raste is Henry's doctor, frustrated by Henry's refusal to spend money on his own health and treatment. ### [Violet Earlforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/violet_earlforward) _professional_ Dr. Raste treats Violet for her ailments, showing sympathy for her difficult marriage and declining health. ### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/joe) _professional_ Dr. Raste treats Joe for his war injuries and poor health, showing compassion for the struggling young man. ### [Elsie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/elsie) _professional_ Dr. Raste is Elsie's physician, treating her with genuine concern and kindness, though their interactions are mostly medical. ### [Henry Earlforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/henry_earlforward) _professional_ Dr. Raste is Henry's doctor, frustrated by Henry's refusal to spend money on his own health and treatment. ### [Elsie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/elsie) _professional_ Dr. Raste is Elsie's physician, treating her with genuine concern and kindness, though their interactions are mostly medical. ### [Henry Earlforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/henry_earlforward) _professional_ Dr. Raste is Henry's doctor, frustrated by Henry's refusal to spend money on his own health and treatment. ### [Violet Earlforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/violet_earlforward) _professional_ Dr. Raste treats Violet for her ailments, showing sympathy for her difficult marriage and declining health. ### [Violet Earlforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/violet_earlforward) _professional_ Dr. Raste treats Violet for her ailments, showing sympathy for her difficult marriage and declining health. ### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/joe) _professional_ Dr. Raste treats Joe for his war injuries and poor health, showing compassion for the struggling young man. ## In the story ### [The Customer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-customer) A short, dapper, carefully dressed man who has acquired manners above his original station. He buys a Shakespeare and then inquires about Elsie, revealing his concern for a shell-shocked lad in his service. ### [III: The Bookseller at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-bookseller-at-home) Visited the shop under the pretext of buying a Shakespeare but actually to inquire about Elsie. ### [IV: Elsie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-i-iv-elsie) Dr. Raste is mentioned as having given Mr. Earlforward a ten-shilling Treasury note, which Mr. Earlforward carefully places in his safe. ### [X: Riceyman Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-i-x-riceyman-square) Emerges from Elsie's house, exchanges formal pleasantries with Henry, and mentions reading Shakespeare. ### [Elsie's Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-i-xi-elsie-s-home) Dr. Raste is summoned by Joe and examines Elsie, finding only a bruise on her left shoulder. ### [II: Elsie’s Retreat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-elsie-s-retreat) Elsie reflects on Dr. Raste, thinking how awkward it must have been for him and that his new help is not as good as she was. ### [I: At the Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iv-i-at-the-window) Suggested by Elsie as a way to examine Henry under the guise of attending to Violet. ### [Elsie's Motive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iv-ii-elsie-s-motive) Dr. Raste is approached by Elsie but initially refuses to visit without a proper summons, though he shows a touch of sympathy. ### [III: Charity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iv-iii-charity) Dr. Raste visits under the pretext of buying a book, but is clearly concerned about Henry's health after Elsie's report. He observes Henry's deterioration and offers advice, but is repulsed. ### [IV: No Verdict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iv-iv-no-verdict) Dr. Raste examines Violet but gives no verdict due to poor lighting. He is evasive about Henry's condition and leaves without clear answers. ### [On the Landing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iv-viii-on-the-landing) Arrives reluctantly, examines Henry, and recommends hospital; shows professional detachment and irritation. ### [IX: Violet's Victory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iv-ix-violet-s-victory) Visited earlier, gave instructions with a sardonic tone; his attitude is shared by Violet after the visit. ### [X: Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iv-x-departure) Dr. Raste arrives determined to take Henry to hospital, but finds Violet in crisis instead. He arranges her admission and is impressed by Elsie's capability. ### [II: The Refusal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-v-ii-the-refusal) The doctor who arranges for Henry's hospital transfer and informs that Violet will have an operation. ### [III: The Message of Violet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-v-iii-the-message-of-violet) Dr. Raste is recalled by Elsie with admiration for his kindness in getting out of bed and arranging for Violet to go to the hospital instead of Henry. ### [VI: The Second Refusal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-v-vi-the-second-refusal) Returns early to check on Henry, reports Violet's operation, and makes a determined but failed second attempt to persuade Henry to enter hospital. ### [VII: Malaria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-v-vii-malaria) Dr. Raste diagnoses Joe with malaria, prescribes quinine and liquid diet, and shows a grudging respect for Elsie's fortitude. He is initially prejudiced against Joe for leaving his service. ### [Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-v-xi-prison) Referenced as the doctor who gave Joe a testimonial. ### [XIII: Disappearance of T. T.’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-v-xiii-disappearance-of-t-t-s) Dr. Raste testifies at the inquest that Elsie called him in for Joe, saving her from opprobrium. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters/dr_raste - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riceyman_steps_se/characters