The Vicar of Bullhampton · Character

Parson John Marrable

A clergyman and relative of the Marrable family.

minor

Also known as John Marrable, Parson John, uncle John

First appearance: XXI: What Parson John Thinks About It

Parson John Marrable's tie to Captain Walter Marrable is one of the pressures that moves The Vicar of Bullhampton—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Uncle to Walter and Mary; a kindly, good-natured clergyman who hosts Walter at Loring Lowtown.

In the storyCaptain Marrable and His FatherOpen this moment free

Parson John Marrable first appears in 0022 xxi what parson john thinks about it.

With Captain Walter Marrable (family): Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and some conflict over Walter's future. With Mary Lowther (social): Mary is acquainted with Parson John as the father of her lover Walter, and their interactions are polite but strained. With Mr. Fenwick (professional): Fenwick and Parson John are fellow clergymen who maintain a cordial but somewhat distant professional relationship.

See Parson John Marrable in Captain Marrable and His Father Book page

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Character Web

36 connections

A slice of how Parson John Marrable sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Social
Professional
Other

Character groups

Central characters and family
Protagonist

+31 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

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Relationships

Captain Walter Marrable
family · ambivalent
Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and… How this plays out →
Mary Lowther
social · ambivalent
Mr. Fenwick
professional · positive
Mr. Fenwick
professional · positive
Mary Lowther
social · ambivalent
Captain Walter Marrable
family · ambivalent
Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and… How this plays out →
Mary Lowther
social · ambivalent
Captain Walter Marrable
family · ambivalent
Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and… How this plays out →
Mr. Fenwick
professional · positive

Captain Walter Marrable
Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and some conflict over Walter's future.
Mary Lowther
Mary is acquainted with Parson John as the father of her lover Walter, and their interactions are polite but strained.
Mr. Fenwick
Fenwick and Parson John are fellow clergymen who maintain a cordial but somewhat distant professional relationship.
Mr. Fenwick
Fenwick and Parson John are fellow clergymen who maintain a cordial but somewhat distant professional relationship.
Mary Lowther
Mary is acquainted with Parson John as the father of her lover Walter, and their interactions are polite but strained.
Captain Walter Marrable
Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and some conflict over Walter's future.
Mary Lowther
Mary is acquainted with Parson John as the father of her lover Walter, and their interactions are polite but strained.
Captain Walter Marrable
Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and some conflict over Walter's future.
Mr. Fenwick
Fenwick and Parson John are fellow clergymen who maintain a cordial but somewhat distant professional relationship.

Relationship notes

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

See Parson John Marrable in XXI: What Parson John Thinks About It

In the story

Parson John Marrable appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Captain Marrable and His Father
Uncle to Walter and Mary; a kindly, good-natured clergyman who hosts Walter at Loring Lowtown.
XVI: Miss Lowther Asks for Advice
Parson John hosts Captain Marrable and offers pragmatic, if morally indifferent, advice about the inheritance dispute.
XXI: What Parson John Thinks About It
Parson John is skeptical of the engagement, believes it will fizzle out, and reluctantly speaks to Walter, but his advice only hardens Walter's resolve.
The Aunt and the Uncle
Urges his nephew to give up Mary, describing the hardships of a poor officer's marriage in India.
Mary Lowther Feels Her Way
The Captain's uncle, who has advised him against marrying, described by the Captain as a 'crabbed, crafty, selfish old bachelor.'
Female Martyrdom
Parson John reports on Walter's hunting activities, hoping to prove to Mary that Walter is not dying of love.
The Marrables of Dunripple
Walter's uncle, who encouraged him to visit Dunripple and is expected to outlive the Colonel.
XLV: What Shall I Do with Myself?
Craftily spreads news about Walter's situation at Dunripple to discourage Mary's hopes.
Sir Gregory Marrable Has a Headache
Walter's father; discusses Sir Gregory's reaction and the financial implications of Walter's marriage.

Chapter companion notes

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See Parson John Marrable in XXI: What Parson John Thinks About It

See Parson John Marrable in Captain Marrable and His Father