John Bold

Eleanor Harding

Eleanor and John are lovers whose romance is complicated by Bold's crusade against the hospital, causing emotional conflict.

Mr. Harding

John Bold leads a reform campaign against Mr. Harding's wardenship, creating a direct adversarial dynamic despite personal respect.

Mary Bold

John and Mary are siblings, and Mary often acts as a mediator and moral support for John.

Tom Towers

John Bold collaborates with Tom Towers, a journalist, to publicize the hospital scandal, forming a strategic alliance.

Dr. Grantly

Dr. Grantly views John Bold as an enemy of the church and his father-in-law, leading to open hostility.

Bishop of Barchester

The Bishop sees John Bold as a troublesome reformer attacking the church's institutions, leading to mutual antagonism.

Mr. Harding

John Bold leads a reform campaign against Mr. Harding's wardenship, creating a direct adversarial dynamic despite personal respect.

Mary Bold

John and Mary are siblings, and Mary often acts as a mediator and moral support for John.

Mary Bold

John and Mary are siblings, and Mary often acts as a mediator and moral support for John.

Tom Towers

John Bold collaborates with Tom Towers, a journalist, to publicize the hospital scandal, forming a strategic alliance.

Dr. Grantly

Dr. Grantly views John Bold as an enemy of the church and his father-in-law, leading to open hostility.

Eleanor Harding

Eleanor and John are lovers whose romance is complicated by Bold's crusade against the hospital, causing emotional conflict.

The Barchester Reformer

A young surgeon and reformer, passionate about correcting abuses, who has stirred discontent among the bedesmen.

The Bishop of Barchester

Referred to as a 'pestilent intruder' by the bishop; revealed to be a potential son-in-law to Mr. Harding.

Hiram's Bedesmen

Mentioned as the instigator of the reform campaign, who justifies his actions with the motto 'Fiat justitia, ruat coelum' and has taken the bedesmen under his protection.

Dr. Grantly Visits the Hospital

Mentioned by the archdeacon as 'pestilent' John Bold, the enemy behind the reform campaign.

VI: The Warden's Tea Party

Declines the invitation, feeling he cannot attend as a friend due to his reform campaign against the hospital.

VII: The Jupiter

Bold feels elated that his cause is championed by The Jupiter, but is crestfallen after Eleanor's rebuff, torn between his reform campaign and his love for her.

Plumstead Episcopi

Referenced as the young man whom the archdeacon opposed, but whose power is now acknowledged.

X: Tribulation

Mentioned as being in London among lawyers and church reformers, speaking at a meeting and associating with Tom Towers.

XI: Iphigenia

Returns unexpectedly from London; is deeply distressed by Eleanor's plea; agrees to abandon the reform campaign; declares his love for Eleanor and eventually persuades her to accept his affection.

Mr. Bold's Visit to Plumstead

Visits Plumstead to inform Dr. Grantly of his decision to drop the lawsuit, but is met with scorn and leaves feeling insulted and regretful.

The Warden's Decision

Agrees to abandon the lawsuit, as conveyed by Eleanor; his actions are dismissed by Mr. Harding as irrelevant.

Mount Olympus

Returns to London in low spirits, instructs his attorneys to prepare a bill, and visits Tom Towers to stop further newspaper attacks.

Tom Towers, Dr. Anticant, and Mr. Sentiment

Visits Tom Towers to plead for Mr. Harding, then reads Mr. Sentiment's novel.

Conclusion

Marries Eleanor; later reconciles with Dr. Grantly, who now sees him as reformed by matrimony.