# Mr. Helstone — Shirley character guide > Mr. Helstone in Shirley by Charlotte Brontë. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** O Mr. Helstone, Helstone, James Helstone, Jem, neither Helstone, the impracticable Mr. Helstone, old Helstone, Mr. James Helstone, Messrs. Helstone, IX Briarmains Messrs. Helstone, Briarmains, Old Helstone, Helstone.⁠ **First appearance:** 0000-i-levitical ## Snapshot Caroline's uncle, a blunt, iron-willed rector who runs his parish and his household with the same unyielding discipline and small patience for sentiment. ## Who they are Mr. Helstone is a soldierly clergyman of the old school, respected for his courage and feared for his temper, who regards his niece's gentle nature with a mixture of indulgence and incomprehension. He is a fixture of the local Tory establishment, sparring with mill owners and Dissenters alike. His refusal to imagine Caroline's emotional life, or to consider her future beyond his own convenience, is one of the quiet pressures that shape her story. ## Relationships ### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone) _family_ Mr. Helstone is Caroline's uncle and guardian, but he is emotionally distant and neglectful, leaving her lonely. ### [Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/louis_moore) _social_ Louis and Mr. Helstone have a strained, formal acquaintance, as Mr. Helstone disapproves of Louis's romance with Caroline. ### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone) _family_ Mr. Helstone is Caroline's uncle and guardian, but he is emotionally distant and neglectful, leaving her lonely. ### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone) _family_ Mr. Helstone is Caroline's uncle and guardian, but he is emotionally distant and neglectful, leaving her lonely. ### [Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/louis_moore) _social_ Louis and Mr. Helstone have a strained, formal acquaintance, as Mr. Helstone disapproves of Louis's romance with Caroline. ### [Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/louis_moore) _social_ Louis and Mr. Helstone have a strained, formal acquaintance, as Mr. Helstone disapproves of Louis's romance with Caroline. ## In the story ### [Mr. Yorke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/iii-mr-yorke) Accompanies Moore as a high Tory, enjoys the hunt for rioters, and clashes with Moore over politics. ### [Mr. Yorke (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/iv-mr-yorke-continued) The austere rector and former rival of Mr. Yorke for Mary Cave. He is depicted as a disciplinarian and formalist, who is unaware of the rumors that his wife died of a broken heart due to his neglect. ### [VI: Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/vi-coriolanus) Caroline's uncle and guardian, mentioned as praising Robert's hard spirit and scorn of the mob, and as believing women should only concern themselves with sewing and cooking. ### [The Curates at Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/vii-the-curates-at-tea) Caroline's uncle, who treats her with gruffness and dismisses her questions about her parents, preferring silly women in society. ### [Noah and Moses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/viii-noah-and-moses) Observes the scene from the window with Moore, sharing a cynical smile. ### [Briarmains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/ix-briarmains) Assists in arresting Barraclough and leaves with Sykes. ### [Fieldhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xi-fieldhead) Caroline's uncle, the rector. He arranges the visit to Fieldhead and debates with Shirley about politics and trade. ### [XIV: Shirley Seeks to Be Saved by Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xiv-shirley-seeks-to-be-saved-by-works) Participates in the clergy meeting, initially suspicious of female influence but eventually cooperates. ### [XVI: Whitsuntide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xvi-whitsuntide) Helstone orchestrates the procession, assigning positions to the ladies and curates, and leading the march with authority. ### [XIX: A Summer Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xix-a-summer-night) Mr. Helstone leaves the rectory for the night, entrusting Shirley with pistols and the care of the house. ### [Mrs. Pryor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxi-mrs-pryor) Visits Fieldhead, praises Robert Moore's conduct during the riot, and discusses the changing public opinion. ### [The Valley of the Shadow of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxiv-the-valley-of-the-shadow-of-death) Visits Caroline, confirms Mrs. Pryor's identity, and shows gruff affection. ### [XXV: The West Wind Blows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxv-the-west-wind-blows) Buys a garden-chair for Caroline and carries her down to it, maintains a ceremonious relationship with Mrs. Pryor. ### [Uncle and Niece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxi-uncle-and-niece) Mentioned by Shirley in comparison to her ideal husband. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/mr_helstone - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters