Riders of the Purple Sage · Character

Tull

A Mormon elder whose cold ambition to marry Jane Withersteen and control her ranch hides behind the authority of the church.

supporting

Also known as Elder Tull, Elder, Brother Tull

First appearance: Cottonwoods

As a supporting figure in Riders of the Purple Sage, Tull is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Elder of Jane's church, leads seven men to confront Jane and Venters.

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Elder Tull is the hand behind the pressure on Jane Withersteen, calling in her riders, driving off her herds, and using the church's long reach to bend her to his will. His rivalry with any Gentile in her employ, and his willingness to work alongside rustlers like Oldring, show a man whose greed and hate wear the mask of piety. Venters traces the shadow of an unseen hand to Tull, making him the human face of the power that threatens everyone the novel follows.

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The fuller portrait of Tull sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Tull in Cottonwoods

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Minor characters and horses
Central antagonists and tragic past
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Jane Withersteen reaches her emotional and psychological peak here by transforming from a woman paralyzed by d…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Lassiter
rivalry · negative
Lassiter and Tull are bitter antagonists, with Tull representing the oppressive Mormon… How this plays out →
Jane Withersteen
psychological · negative
Lassiter
rivalry · negative
Lassiter and Tull are bitter antagonists, with Tull representing the oppressive Mormon… How this plays out →
Jane Withersteen
psychological · negative
Lassiter
rivalry · negative
Lassiter and Tull are bitter antagonists, with Tull representing the oppressive Mormon… How this plays out →
Jane Withersteen
psychological · negative

Lassiter
Lassiter and Tull are bitter antagonists, with Tull representing the oppressive Mormon leadership that Lassiter opposes.
Jane Withersteen
Tull manipulates and pressures Jane Withersteen through religious authority and social control, creating a tense, coercive dynamic.
Lassiter
Lassiter and Tull are bitter antagonists, with Tull representing the oppressive Mormon leadership that Lassiter opposes.
Jane Withersteen
Tull manipulates and pressures Jane Withersteen through religious authority and social control, creating a tense, coercive dynamic.
Lassiter
Lassiter and Tull are bitter antagonists, with Tull representing the oppressive Mormon leadership that Lassiter opposes.
Jane Withersteen
Tull manipulates and pressures Jane Withersteen through religious authority and social control, creating a tense, coercive dynamic.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Tull in Cottonwoods

In the story

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

Lassiter
Elder of Jane's church, leads seven men to confront Jane and Venters. He is determined to whip Venters and drive him from Utah, embodying the harsh authority of the Mormon creed.
Cottonwoods
Mentioned as the Elder who threatened Venters and is in love with Jane; his actions drive the conflict.
III: Amber Spring
Mentioned as Venters' antagonist; seen riding at night with Jerry Card; his cottage is dark.
The Masked Rider
Referenced in Venters's thoughts as an adversary who would be surprised by his feat.
The Mill-Wheel of Steers
Implied to be behind the calling-in of Jane's riders and the pressure on her to marry a Mormon.
The Daughter of Withersteen
Confronts Jane in the village, criticizing her hiring of Lassiter and revealing his secretive, oppressive nature.
Faith and Unfaith
Mentioned in Lassiter's accusation as a man who has killed and drawn on others, representing the darker side of Mormonism.
XV: Shadows on the Sage-Slope
Tull is confronted by Venters in the meeting-room. He is accused of conspiring with Oldring to steal Jane's red herd and of persecuting Jane.
Oldring's Knell
Appears briefly at his cottage door, then bars it; Venters sends a message to him about Jerry Card.
Lassiter's Way
Mentioned as being away from the village with most of his riders, expected back later; Jane had offered to marry him to get Fay back.
XXII: Riders of the Purple Sage
Leads a band of riders pursuing Venters and Bess, but is outrun.
XXIII: The Fall of Balancing Rock
Leads the pursuing riders on a white horse, relentlessly chasing Jane and Lassiter.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Tull unlock in the free preview.

See Tull in Cottonwoods

See Tull in Lassiter