The Uncalled · Character

Elizabeth Simpson

The minister's daughter everyone expects Brent to marry, she moves through Dexter's Sunday-schools and parlors as the ideal preacher's wife in waiting.

supporting

Also known as Lizzie

First appearance: vi

As a supporting figure in The Uncalled, Elizabeth Simpson is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Nearly drowns at the picnic; rescued by Fred; her weakness and dependence on Fred deepen his feelings for her.

In the storyVIIOpen this moment free

See Elizabeth Simpson in VII Book page

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Elizabeth is the daughter of the older minister whose pulpit Brent inherits, and her steady Sunday walks home with Brent have the whole town reading their future in every glance. The match is smooth, sanctioned by both father and guardian, yet its very ease makes it feel like one more path already laid out for a man who chafes at dead levels. Her quiet presence sharpens the question at the heart of Brent's early pastorate: whether a life that looks perfectly arranged can ever feel like his own.

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The fuller portrait of Elizabeth Simpson sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Elizabeth Simpson in vi

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Elizabeth Simpson sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Family
Social
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Fred's family and caretakers
Protagonist
Community members and acquaintances

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Frederick Bren…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Fred Brent
romantic · positive
Elizabeth is a sweet, devoted young woman who hopes to marry Fred, but he sees her more… How this plays out →
Tom Brent
family · positive
Eliphalet Hodges
social · positive
Miss Hester Prime
rivalry · negative
Fred Brent
romantic · positive
Elizabeth is a sweet, devoted young woman who hopes to marry Fred, but he sees her more… How this plays out →
Tom Brent
family · positive
Fred Brent
romantic · positive
Elizabeth is a sweet, devoted young woman who hopes to marry Fred, but he sees her more… How this plays out →
Eliphalet Hodges
social · positive

Fred Brent
Elizabeth is a sweet, devoted young woman who hopes to marry Fred, but he sees her more as a friend.
Tom Brent
Elizabeth is Tom's sister-in-law, and they share a warm, supportive family bond.
Eliphalet Hodges
Eliphalet knows Elizabeth as a respectable young woman in the congregation, but has little direct involvement with her.
Miss Hester Prime
Elizabeth sees Hester as a rival for Fred's affections, leading to jealousy and coolness between them.
Fred Brent
Elizabeth is a sweet, devoted young woman who hopes to marry Fred, but he sees her more as a friend.
Tom Brent
Elizabeth is Tom's sister-in-law, and they share a warm, supportive family bond.
Fred Brent
Elizabeth is a sweet, devoted young woman who hopes to marry Fred, but he sees her more as a friend.
Eliphalet Hodges
Eliphalet knows Elizabeth as a respectable young woman in the congregation, but has little direct involvement with her.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Elizabeth Simpson in vi

In the story

Elizabeth Simpson appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII
Nearly drowns at the picnic; rescued by Fred; her weakness and dependence on Fred deepen his feelings for her.
VIII
Mentioned as the object of Fred's affection; Fred thinks 'Elizabeth is mine.'
IX
Fred seeks her out after his argument; she supports the preaching plan, which further upsets him.
Chapter X
Fred's love interest; she is influenced by her father's conservative views, leading to conflict over Fred's baseball game.
XI
Attends the sermon and feels proud that such a man loves her.
XII
Visits Fred after the ordination but is turned away by Eliphalet on Fred's behalf.
XIII
Engaged to Fred; after the confrontation with Mr. Simpson, she is absent from their usual Sunday walk home, suggesting she believed ill of him.
XIV
Fred dismisses her with mild contempt, believing she could not understand or sympathize with him.
XVI
Is brought to the funeral by Bill Tompkins.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Elizabeth Simpson unlock in the free preview.

See Elizabeth Simpson in vi

See Elizabeth Simpson in VII