# Thomas Broad — The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane character guide > Thomas Broad in The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane by Mark Rutherford. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Broad, Tommy Broad, Tom, Mr. Thomas Broad, Mr. Thomas, Broad, Tom Broad **First appearance:** 0001-the-revolution-in-tanner-s-lane ## Snapshot A prosperous Dissenting minister whose broad, fat hand and easy-chair piety conceal a worldly prudence and a quiet, unaccountable hatred for the Allens. ## Who they are Mr. Broad presides over Tanner's Lane as its eminently orthodox minister, his family the model of respectable Dissent, his Monday picnics at Shott Woods a fixed institution. Yet his somnolent virtue hides a bitter, concealed animosity toward the Allens that even he cannot fully explain, and his son Thomas carries that inherited suspicion into London. Broad matters because the story's early world is measured by his approval — and quietly poisoned by his resentments. ## Relationships ### [George Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/george_allen) _rivalry_ George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over religious and social ideals. ### [Pauline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/pauline) _romantic_ Pauline and Thomas Broad share a deep romantic connection, marked by passion and conflict. ### [Fanny Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/fanny_allen) _romantic_ Fanny Allen is infatuated with Thomas Broad, creating a one-sided romantic tension. ### [Brother Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/brother_allen) _rivalry_ Brother Allen and Thomas Broad are religious and political adversaries, representing different factions. ### [Old Bushel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/old_bushel) _friendship_ Old Bushel is a loyal friend and supporter of Thomas Broad, often providing counsel. ### [Priscilla Broad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/priscilla_broad) _family_ Priscilla Broad is Thomas Broad's mother, and their relationship is caring but strained by his radicalism. ### [Mr. Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/mr_coleman) _family_ Mr. Coleman is Thomas Broad's father, and their relationship is distant and disapproving. ### [George Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/george_allen) _rivalry_ George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over religious and social ideals. ### [Fanny Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/fanny_allen) _romantic_ Fanny Allen is infatuated with Thomas Broad, creating a one-sided romantic tension. ### [Pauline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/pauline) _romantic_ Pauline and Thomas Broad share a deep romantic connection, marked by passion and conflict. ### [George Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/george_allen) _rivalry_ George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over religious and social ideals. ### [Brother Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/brother_allen) _rivalry_ Brother Allen and Thomas Broad are religious and political adversaries, representing different factions. ## In the story ### [XVII: When Wilt Thou Arise Out of Thy Sleep? Yet a Little Sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xvii-when-wilt-thou-arise-out-of-thy-sleep-yet-a-little-sleep) The eighteen-year-old son of the Broads, a sheltered and awkward young man showing an alarming interest in young women, particularly Fanny Allen. ### [A Religious Picnic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xviii-a-religious-picnic) Thomas is the minister's son and a student for the ministry. He shows interest in Fanny Allen, leading her into a secluded shortcut during the picnic. ### [A Religious Picnic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xviii-a-religious-picnic) Mr. Broad is the pastor who leads the picnic, says grace, and enjoys the meal heartily. He is a figure of authority and tradition. ### [XIX: “The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like Unto Leaven”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xix-the-kingdom-of-heaven-is-like-unto-leaven) Junior, enters Dissenting College in London, warned by parents not to visit Zachariah. ### [The Reverend Thomas Broad’s Exposition of Romans 8:7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xx-the-reverend-thomas-broad-s-exposition-of-romans-8-7) Visits the Coleman household after preaching his first sermon; makes unwanted advances toward Pauline. ### [XXI: The Wisdom of the Serpent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xxi-the-wisdom-of-the-serpent) Mr. Broad weighs practical considerations and persuades his wife to allow the match. ### [XXIV: “I Came Not to Send Peace, but a Sword”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xxiv-i-came-not-to-send-peace-but-a-sword) Seen by George in the street; his presence is explained by a letter from his father about his preaching success. ### [XXV: “And a Man’s Foes Shall Be They of His Own Household”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xxv-and-a-man-s-foes-shall-be-they-of-his-own-household) Refuses George entry to his house; writes to his father about the Allens' movements and about Zachariah's daughter. ### [Mr. Broad's Last Church Meeting—Latimer Chapel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-broad-s-last-church-meeting-latimer-chapel) Present at the meeting in full ministerial costume; later involved in a scandal about climbing the College palings, which he admits to, though the scar on his hand had another origin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters/thomas_broad - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/characters