# Rosie Shearwater — Antic Hay character guide

> Rosie Shearwater in Antic Hay by Aldous Huxley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Rosie, Rose

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Who they are

Rosie Shearwater arrives at a strange man's door rehearsing a speech about civilization, only to find herself bandaging a bleeding poet and discovering she rather enjoys it.

## Relationships

### [Theodore Gumbril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/theodore_gumbril)

_romantic_

Rosie has a brief, passionate affair with Gumbril, seeking escape from her dull marriage.

### [Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/coleman)

_psychological_

Coleman exerts a dark, nihilistic influence over Rosie, leading her into debauchery and emotional turmoil.

### [Mercaptan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/mercaptan)

_social_

Mercaptan is a pretentious aesthete who flirts with Rosie and participates in the same social circle.

### [Myra Viveash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/myra_viveash)

_social_

Myra and Rosie are acquaintances who move in the same bohemian social circles, with Myra often dominating.

### [James Shearwater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/james_shearwater)

_family_

James is Rosie's husband, a dull physiologist whose neglect drives her into the arms of other men.

### [Toto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/toto)

_social_

Toto is a flamboyant, effeminate friend who accompanies Rosie on her escapades.

### [Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/coleman)

_psychological_

Coleman exerts a dark, nihilistic influence over Rosie, leading her into debauchery and emotional turmoil.

### [Myra Viveash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/myra_viveash)

_social_

Myra and Rosie are acquaintances who move in the same bohemian social circles, with Myra often dominating.

### [Theodore Gumbril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/theodore_gumbril)

_romantic_

Rosie has a brief, passionate affair with Gumbril, seeking escape from her dull marriage.

### [Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/coleman)

_psychological_

Coleman exerts a dark, nihilistic influence over Rosie, leading her into debauchery and emotional turmoil.

### [James Shearwater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/james_shearwater)

_family_

James is Rosie's husband, a dull physiologist whose neglect drives her into the arms of other men.

### [Theodore Gumbril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/theodore_gumbril)

_romantic_

Rosie has a brief, passionate affair with Gumbril, seeking escape from her dull marriage.

## In the story

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned indirectly: Gumbril reflects on his afternoon with her, and Shearwater's visit raises the possibility that Rosie has confessed something about their encounter.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xviii)

Rosie listens with disguised astonishment as James confesses his affair, then dismisses his attempt at reconciliation with cool detachment, advocating for a 'civilized' marriage.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xx)

Visits Coleman's flat, bandages his wound, and is subjected to his disturbing advances.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/rosie_shearwater
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters