# Mr. Saul — The Claverings character guide

> Mr. Saul in The Claverings by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Saul, poor Saul, the Rev. Samuel Saul

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-the-rev-samuel-saul

## Snapshot

The poor, earnest curate of Clavering who loves Fanny Clavering and cannot afford to marry her, to her father's considerable dismay.

## Who they are

Mr. Saul has served the parish of Clavering faithfully for years, and his reward is a curacy too small to support a wife — specifically Fanny Clavering, who loves him back. His repeated proposals and the explosive quarrel with the rector over his prospects expose the cruel economics of clerical life and the snobbery lurking beneath the Claverings' comfortable surface. His stubborn integrity and the question of whether he will ever get the living give the novel a second, quieter love story running beneath Harry's.

## In the story

### [Harry Clavering Chooses His Profession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/ii-harry-clavering-chooses-his-profession)

The curate, who is earnest and diligent but socially awkward, is involved in church matters and is disliked by Sir Hugh.

### [The Rev. Samuel Saul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/vi-the-rev-samuel-saul)

Proposes to Fanny Clavering and is rejected; handles the situation with composure and later seeks to maintain friendship with Harry.

### [Florence Burton at the Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/x-florence-burton-at-the-rectory)

Mentioned as still scolding Fanny and continuing his parish work, with no further talk of his earlier proposal.

### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xvi-the-rivals)

Asks Florence for advice about his love for Fanny Clavering, expressing his despair and considering leaving the parish.

### [Cumberly Lane Without the Mud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxiii-cumberly-lane-without-the-mud)

Determined to win Fanny's love, he argues that only her personal rejection, not his poverty, should deter her, and threatens to leave Clavering if refused.

### [Showing Why Harry Clavering Was Wanted at the Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxiii-showing-why-harry-clavering-was-wanted-at-the-rectory)

Renews his suit for Fanny's hand and confronts the rector, refusing to abandon his hopes despite being ordered to leave the parish.

### [Mr. Saul’s Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxiv-mr-saul-s-abode)

Banished from the rectory after expressing his love for Fanny; his lodgings are the subject of Harry's intended visit.

### [XLIV: Showing What Happened Off Heligoland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xliv-showing-what-happened-off-heligoland)

Prepares for departure to foreign parts, unaware of the decision to make him rector of Clavering.

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

Accepts the living and Fanny's hand, expressing his love and solemn dedication to his new pastoral responsibilities.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/samuel_saul
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters