Rev. Mark Robarts
Rev. Mark Robarts is a young, ambitious clergy who wants to become a famous preacher stationed in a big cathedral like Barchester. After finishing college, his friend's mother, Lady Lufton, allows him to work in her parish as a clergy. However, Rev. Mark is not satisfied because the parish needs to be bigger for him to become famous.
To achieve his dreams, Rev. Mark befriends well-connected people like Sowerby and Harold to help him climb the ladder. According to Rev. Mark, influential friends can help him quickly secure a position in the Barchester Cathedral. However, he is later disappointed when he finds himself in the middle of a financial fraud that taints his reputation. His new friends involve him innocently in a financial fraud that later threatens his reputation.
Lady Lufton
Lady Lufton is the wife of Lord Lufton and the mother of Rev. Mark's college friend. Lady Lufton is a humane person who allows Rev. Mark to start his cleric career at her parish. In addition, Lady Lufton advises Rev. Mark to be careful with Sowerby and Harold because they are not genuine people.
Lord Lufton
Lord Lufton is the husband of Lady Lufton. Lord Lufton has a bad experience with Sowerby and Harold because they once duped him financially. Therefore, when Lady Lufton hears that Rev. Mark is befriending Sowerby and Harold, she warns him.
Nathaniel Sowerby
Sowerby is the dean of Barchester and one of the leading financial fraudsters in town. Sowerby dupes innocent victims into financial woes for his selfish gains. For instance, when Sowerby learns that Rev. Mark wants to work at the Barchester Cathedral, he uses him as a guarantor to secure loans, which he never repays, thus, shifting the responsibility of repayment to Rev. Mark.
Harold Smith
Harold Smith is an Mp and a close friend of Sowerby. Harold and Sowerby plot a plan to defraud Rev. Mark into their fraudulent financial activities. Harold promises Rev. Mark that he is influential and about to get a government job to show he is a well-connected man.
