# Sister Soulsby — The Damnation of Theron Ware character guide

> Sister Soulsby in The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Soulsby, Mrs. Soulsby

**First appearance:** 0017-part-iii-xviii

## Snapshot

A traveling revivalist with wise, theatrical eyes and a businessman's grasp of church finance, who reads Theron Ware more accurately than he reads himself.

## Who they are

Sister Soulsby arrives in Octavius to run a revival and clear the congregation's debts, and she does both with brisk, unsentimental competence. Her Southern drawl, low collars, and rolling eyes suggest a past she does not discuss; her talk is pure city pragmatism. She is the one person in the novel who sees Theron clearly and likes him anyway, and her advice is the closest thing he gets to a warning.

## Relationships

### [Theron Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/theron_ware)

_psychological_

Sister Soulsby is a shrewd manipulator who takes Theron under her wing, teaching him the cynical art of managing a congregation through emotional manipulation and financial schemes.

### [Alice Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/alice_ware)

_psychological_

Alice is wary of Sister Soulsby's manipulative influence over Theron, sensing the woman's worldly and cynical nature as a threat to their marriage.

### [Brother Soulsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/brother_soulsby)

_family_

Brother and Sister Soulsby are a married team of religious con artists who work together seamlessly to exploit churches for profit.

### [Theron Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/theron_ware)

_psychological_

Sister Soulsby is a shrewd manipulator who takes Theron under her wing, teaching him the cynical art of managing a congregation through emotional manipulation and financial schemes.

### [Theron Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/theron_ware)

_psychological_

Sister Soulsby is a shrewd manipulator who takes Theron under her wing, teaching him the cynical art of managing a congregation through emotional manipulation and financial schemes.

### [Alice Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/alice_ware)

_psychological_

Alice is wary of Sister Soulsby's manipulative influence over Theron, sensing the woman's worldly and cynical nature as a threat to their marriage.

### [Brother Soulsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/brother_soulsby)

_family_

Brother and Sister Soulsby are a married team of religious con artists who work together seamlessly to exploit churches for profit.

### [Alice Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/alice_ware)

_psychological_

Alice is wary of Sister Soulsby's manipulative influence over Theron, sensing the woman's worldly and cynical nature as a threat to their marriage.

## In the story

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii)

Arrives ahead of Brother Soulsby, assesses the situation, and is described as a capable, businesslike woman.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv)

Sister Soulsby takes charge of the revival planning, using her intelligence and experience to devise a scheme to raise the church debt, displaying a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-ii-xv)

Leads the revival with singing and preaching; her powerful presence moves the congregation.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi)

Instructs Theron to attend the trustees' meeting and side with Pierce and Winch; she had earlier manipulated the Quarterly Conference to increase Theron's salary.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii)

Defends the revival's tactics as necessary 'machinery'; explains the concept of 'good frauds' and urges Theron to accept practical realities.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iii-xviii)

Departed by train earlier; Theron fondly recalls her charm and conversation.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iii-xxii)

Her advice is credited by Theron for his improved confidence and success.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxi)

Rises to care for Theron, offering comfort and stern advice, recognizing his grief-crazed condition beyond mere drunkenness.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxii)

Comforts Alice, dismisses her fears, and advises her to stay cheerful and resolute.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/sister_soulsby
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters