# Eliphalet Hodges — The Uncalled character guide > Eliphalet Hodges in The Uncalled by Paul Laurence Dunbar. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Hodges, Brother Hodges, Liphalet Hodges, Uncle 'Liphalet **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A gentle deacon whose face shifts between fear and exultation, Eliphalet Hodges is the one man who truly understands the boy preacher's dread. ## Who they are Eliphalet Hodges moves through Dexter's church life as a quiet, good-hearted deacon, watching Fred's rise with a mixture of pride and anxious sympathy. Where others lecture Fred on duty, Eliphalet whispers that he knows how the young man feels, insisting he will always be "Freddie" to him. His steady, unpretentious friendship offers Fred the only real refuge from the pressures of congregation and college alike. ## Relationships ### [Fred Brent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/fred_brent) _psychological_ Eliphalet is a domineering guardian who controls Fred's life with rigid piety, creating a tense and oppressive dynamic. ### [Miss Hester Prime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/miss_hester_prime) _family_ Eliphalet is Hester's uncle and guardian, exerting strict religious authority over her life. ### [Mrs. Hester Hodges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/mrs_hester_hodges) _family_ Eliphalet is Mrs. Hodges' brother-in-law, and their relationship is marked by shared secrets and mutual disapproval. ### [Elizabeth Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/elizabeth_simpson) _social_ Eliphalet knows Elizabeth as a respectable young woman in the congregation, but has little direct involvement with her. ### [Mr. Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/mr_simpson) _social_ Eliphalet and Mr. Simpson are fellow church elders and community leaders, interacting with formal respect. ### [Fred Brent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/fred_brent) _psychological_ Eliphalet is a domineering guardian who controls Fred's life with rigid piety, creating a tense and oppressive dynamic. ### [Miss Hester Prime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/miss_hester_prime) _family_ Eliphalet is Hester's uncle and guardian, exerting strict religious authority over her life. ### [Miss Hester Prime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/miss_hester_prime) _family_ Eliphalet is Hester's uncle and guardian, exerting strict religious authority over her life. ### [Mrs. Hester Hodges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/mrs_hester_hodges) _family_ Eliphalet is Mrs. Hodges' brother-in-law, and their relationship is marked by shared secrets and mutual disapproval. ### [Fred Brent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/fred_brent) _psychological_ Eliphalet is a domineering guardian who controls Fred's life with rigid piety, creating a tense and oppressive dynamic. ### [Mr. Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/mr_simpson) _social_ Eliphalet and Mr. Simpson are fellow church elders and community leaders, interacting with formal respect. ### [Elizabeth Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/elizabeth_simpson) _social_ Eliphalet knows Elizabeth as a respectable young woman in the congregation, but has little direct involvement with her. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/ii) Brother Hodges enters with the minister, offers a tender and childlike prayer, and rides in front of the funeral procession. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/iv) Visits Miss Prime unexpectedly; discusses the town gossip and Freddie's situation. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/v) Takes Freddie for a ride, buys him toys and candy, and expresses a desire to help raise the boy, clashing with Miss Prime's methods. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/vi) Fred's comforting influence; defends Fred's laughter as natural and tries to mitigate Miss Prime's harshness. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/vii) Present at the picnic with his horse Bess; part of the community gathering. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/viii) Grieves the death of his horse Old Bess; shares his past courtship of Miss Hester Prime and tries to propose again. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/ix) Miss Prime's husband; he tentatively questions whether Fred is truly called to preach, but does not strongly oppose his wife. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as a past positive influence who stood between Fred and despair during Miss Prime's discipline. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xi) Offers Fred sympathy and encouragement before the sermon, understanding his anxiety. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xii) Comforts Fred after his collapse, embraces him as a son, and protects him from visitors despite Mrs. Hodges' wishes. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xiii) Waxes buoyant and contented as Fred seems more settled; attends the church meeting and is surprised by the proceedings. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xiv) Saddened by Fred's leaving, he tries to comfort his wife and expresses hope that they will grow closer. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xvi) Sends the telegram summoning Fred, expresses his own pain at losing Fred to his biological father, and leads Fred to see Tom Brent. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xvii) Receives Fred's letters, defends him against gossip, and travels to Cincinnati to meet Fred and Alice. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/eliphalet_hodges - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters