# Mr. Hollingsworth — The Blithedale Romance character guide > Mr. Hollingsworth in The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hollingsworth, dear Hollingsworth, Poor Hollingsworth **First appearance:** 0003-ii-blithedale ## Snapshot A blacksmith turned philanthropist whose tenderness for his friends is matched only by the inflexible severity of the single purpose that consumes him. ## Who they are Hollingsworth is the moral center of gravity at Blithedale, a stalwart man in whom Coverdale finds the warmth of a deathbed companion. Yet he confesses to an inflexible severity of purpose that no mortal has a right to, and his one philanthropic idea threatens to swallow every other loyalty. His tenderness and his monomania pull against each other, making him the figure on whom the community's ideals and its dangers both rest. ## In the story ### [The Blithedale Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/the-blithedale-romance) A fervent reformer dedicated to his philanthropic project. ### [Old Moodie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/i-old-moodie) Mentioned by Coverdale as an older, more solid philanthropist who might suit Moodie's purpose. ### [Blithedale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/ii-blithedale) Mentioned as having agreed to join the group but was accidentally delayed and set forth alone later. ### [A Knot of Dreamers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/iii-a-knot-of-dreamers) Mentioned as a laggard who has not yet arrived; Zenobia praises his voice and philanthropic passion, though she admits she usually dislikes philanthropists. ### [IV: The Supper-Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/iv-the-supper-table) Brings Priscilla to Blithedale, defends her against Zenobia's initial coldness, and urges the community to treat her with kindness. ### [Until Bedtime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/v-until-bedtime) Hollingsworth is withdrawn and taciturn, absorbed in his own thoughts about criminal reform. He shows little interest in the socialist scheme. ### [VI: Coverdale’s Sick-Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/vi-coverdale-s-sick-chamber) Builds a fire in Coverdale's room, nurses him, and is described as a man of prayerful habits and inflexible purpose. ### [The Convalescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/vii-the-convalescent) Coverdale's friend, whose obsessive philanthropic project to reform criminals is revealed as a consuming, egotistical passion. ### [A Modern Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/viii-a-modern-arcadia) Seen returning from the field with a hoe; the object of Priscilla's eager approach and Zenobia's admiration. ### [IX: Hollingsworth, Zenobia, Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/ix-hollingsworth-zenobia-priscilla) Depicted as consumed by his philanthropic scheme, lacking true human sympathy, and dangerously tender toward Priscilla. ### [A Visitor from Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/x-a-visitor-from-town) Engages with Old Moodie, answers his questions, and leads him to see Priscilla. ### [XI: The Wood-Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xi-the-wood-path) Mocked by Westervelt as a 'holy and benevolent blacksmith' with a philanthropic scheme; Westervelt suggests he seeks funds from Zenobia. ### [XII: Coverdale's Hermitage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xii-coverdale-s-hermitage) Observed driving oxen; Coverdale criticizes his philanthropic obsession. ### [Eliot's Pulpit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xiv-eliot-s-pulpit) Delivers moving discourses from Eliot's Pulpit; is the object of Zenobia's affection and Priscilla's devotion. ### [XV: A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xv-a-crisis) Intensely focused on his philanthropic scheme, he pressures Coverdale to join him and reveals plans to use Zenobia's wealth. ### [XVI: Leave-Takings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xvi-leave-takings) Passes Coverdale on the doorstep without acknowledgment, their friendship having ended after their quarrel. ### [XVIII: The Boardinghouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xviii-the-boardinghouse) Mentioned in Coverdale's thoughts and dreams, but not physically present in the chapter. ### [XIX: Zenobia’s Drawing-Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xix-zenobia-s-drawing-room) Discussed by Coverdale and Zenobia; Zenobia defends his heroic character and his devotion to his one great idea. ### [XX: They Vanish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xx-they-vanish) Referenced as the one who bade Priscilla go to Zenobia; Coverdale invokes his name, angering Zenobia. ### [A Village Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiii-a-village-hall) Seen by Coverdale at the hall; speaks briefly about Zenobia and later summons Priscilla to safety. ### [The Masqueraders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiv-the-masqueraders) Dressed as a Puritan elder in the masquerade; later sits at Eliot's Pulpit with Priscilla and Zenobia. ### [The Three Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxv-the-three-together) Acts as judge and accuser in a private tribunal. He declares his love for Priscilla and is fiercely attacked by Zenobia for his selfishness. ### [XXVI: Zenobia and Coverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxvi-zenobia-and-coverdale) Referenced as the object of Zenobia's love and scorn; she accuses him of having a heart of ice but also defends him. ### [XXVII: Midnight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxvii-midnight) Summoned by Coverdale; helps retrieve Zenobia's body and is accused by Foster of wounding her breast. ### [Blithedale Pasture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxviii-blithedale-pasture) Shows a depressed and melancholy look, presses close to Priscilla, and admits he has been busy with a single murderer (himself). ### [Miles Coverdale's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxix-miles-coverdale-s-confession) Coverdale recalls Hollingsworth's criticism that he lacks a purpose, and notes Hollingsworth was ruined by an excess of purpose. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/hollingsworth - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters