# Fred Brent — The Uncalled character guide > Fred Brent in The Uncalled by Paul Laurence Dunbar. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Freddie, Freddie Brent, Frederick Brent, young Brent **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A seminary student and reluctant prodigy, Fred Brent fights to become his own man while the town of Dexter insists on seeing only old Tom Brent's boy. ## Who they are Raised by the stern Miss Prime after his mother's death, Fred grows into a gifted orator whom Dexter hails as a "boy preacher" — a label he detests as much as the town's whispered reminders of his parents' disgrace. He throws himself into study and debate, yet his growing fame as a speaker drags him toward a pulpit he never chose, and his private letters confess a quiet, well-appearing devil of revolt. His struggle between duty to those who shaped him and the hunger to fail or succeed on his own terms drives the novel's central question. ## Relationships ### [Eliphalet Hodges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/eliphalet_hodges) _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) _romantic_ Fred is deeply in love with Hester, but their relationship is complicated by social pressures and his internal conflicts. ### [Elizabeth Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/elizabeth_simpson) _romantic_ Elizabeth is a sweet, devoted young woman who hopes to marry Fred, but he sees her more as a friend. ### [Mrs. Hester Hodges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/mrs_hester_hodges) _family_ Mrs. Hodges is Fred's biological mother, though he does not know this, creating a tragic hidden connection. ### [Mr. Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/mr_perkins) _professional_ Mr. Perkins is Fred's employer at the printing office, offering him steady work and mentorship. ### [Mr. Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/mr_simpson) _social_ Mr. Simpson is Elizabeth's father and a respected townsman who views Fred as a potential son-in-law. ### [Willie Tompkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/willie_tompkins) _friendship_ Willie is a young boy who idolizes Fred and looks up to him as a big brother figure. ### [Tom Brent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/tom_brent) _family_ Tom is Fred's biological father, though Fred does not know this, and their interactions are marked by Tom's guilt and distance. ### [Sophy Davis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/sophy_davis) _friendship_ Sophy is a kind-hearted young woman who is a friend and occasional romantic interest for Fred. ### [Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/dexter) _friendship_ Dexter is Fred's loyal dog, providing him with unconditional companionship and comfort. ### [Miss Hester Prime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/miss_hester_prime) _romantic_ Fred is deeply in love with Hester, but their relationship is complicated by social pressures and his internal conflicts. ### [Eliphalet Hodges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/eliphalet_hodges) _psychological_ Eliphalet is a domineering guardian who controls Fred's life with rigid piety, creating a tense and oppressive dynamic. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/i) Margaret's young son, about five years old, who wakes to find his mother dead and is comforted by Mrs. Davis. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/ii) The motherless boy, referred to as 'little Freddie,' is led forward by Mrs. Davis to view his mother's face and follows the funeral procession. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/iii) The orphaned boy, initially playing happily but showing vague sadness; he is taken from Mrs. Davis's care to live with Miss Hester Prime. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/iv) Now called Freddie; sits disconsolately at first, then finds comfort looking at pictures in the 'Bible Looking-Glass'. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/v) The orphaned child at the center of the community's discussion, brought home by Eliphalet Hodges with new toys. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/vi) Subjected to Miss Prime's repressive training; laughs in church and is publicly shamed; forced to apologize to Willie Tompkins but later fights him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/vii) Heroically saves Elizabeth from drowning, then flees in confusion; experiences emotional and sexual awakening; resists religious pressure but eventually conforms. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/viii) Visits Eliphalet after a night of emotional turmoil over his feelings for Elizabeth; feels guilty and embarrassed when his secret is guessed. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/ix) Now finished high school; he rebels against Miss Prime's plan to make him a preacher, arguing with her and later confiding in Elizabeth. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/x) Struggles with community prejudice, falls in love with Elizabeth, and rebels against restrictive expectations. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xi) Preaches his first sermon, struggling with the weight of his past and the community's judgment. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xii) Struggles internally against his forced path into the ministry, writes a letter expressing his desire for revolt, faints at his ordination, and later refuses to see guests or attend the dinner. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xiii) Struggles with the repression of his pastoral role, finds relief in study, and becomes engaged to Elizabeth. He refuses to publicly shame Sophy Davis, leading to a confrontation with Mr. Simpson. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xiv) Leaves Dexter for Cincinnati, feeling relief and excitement about his newfound freedom, though he regrets leaving Eliphalet. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xv) Fred grapples with the iron grip of his Puritan upbringing, feels humiliated by his own inhibitions, and is horrified to discover his father is the temperance speaker. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xvi) Struggles with anger and despair over his father's return, ultimately returns to Dexter and sees his dying father. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xvii) Has found work in Cincinnati, grown happier and more self-aware, engaged to Alice, and redefines his faith. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters/fred_brent - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_uncalled_se/characters