How does the author's portrayal of the different church groups prejudice the reader for and against them?

What do you think about the author's decision to tell the reader early on that Eleanor will not marry either Mr. Slope or Bertie Stanhope? How does this add to the dramatic tension of the novel?

Eleanor Bold is able to function independently of the men in the novel because she is a wealthy widow. Often her brother-in-law, the Archdeacon, urges her father to step in and tell her what to do, but he refuses. How does Eleanor's independence affect the novel? What changes do you expect now that she is married to Mr. Arabin?

Bertie Stanhope is the only male character called by his first name. The other men are all addressed by their surnames. What does this show about Bertie's character? What does it show...