# Theodore Gumbril — Antic Hay character guide > Theodore Gumbril in Antic Hay by Aldous Huxley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Gumbril, Gumbril, Mister Gumbril, Theodore, Poor Theodore, Theodore Gumbril, Mr. Theodore Gumbril **First appearance:** 0001-antic-hay ## Who they are A restless young inventor of pneumatic trousers, Theodore Gumbril drifts through post-war London chasing love and meaning with self-mocking wit and a talent for grand, silly phrases. ## Relationships ### [Myra Viveash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/myra_viveash) _romantic_ Myra is Gumbril's obsessive and emotionally draining lover, embodying a destructive romantic fixation. ### [Rosie Shearwater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/rosie_shearwater) _romantic_ Rosie has a brief, passionate affair with Gumbril, seeking escape from her dull marriage. ### [Emily](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/emily) _romantic_ Emily is a young woman with whom Gumbril has a tender but ultimately fleeting romantic encounter. ### [Bojanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/bojanus) _professional_ Bojanus is a businessman who collaborates with Gumbril on the patent for pneumatic trousers. ### [Casimir Lypiatt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/casimir_lypiatt) _rivalry_ Lypiatt resents Gumbril as a rival for Myra's affections and as a symbol of his own artistic failure. ### [Boldero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/boldero) _professional_ Boldero is a tailor who works with Gumbril to manufacture the pneumatic trousers. ### [Porteous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/porteous) _friendship_ Porteous is an older, cynical friend who offers Gumbril sardonic advice and companionship. ### [Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/coleman) _friendship_ Coleman is Gumbril's hedonistic and amoral friend, sharing a bond of cynical amusement. ### [Mercaptan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/mercaptan) _social_ Mercaptan and Gumbril are acquaintances who engage in intellectual and social sparring. ### [Myra Viveash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/myra_viveash) _romantic_ Myra is Gumbril's obsessive and emotionally draining lover, embodying a destructive romantic fixation. ### [Myra Viveash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/myra_viveash) _romantic_ Myra is Gumbril's obsessive and emotionally draining lover, embodying a destructive romantic fixation. ### [Bojanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/bojanus) _professional_ Bojanus is a businessman who collaborates with Gumbril on the patent for pneumatic trousers. ## In the story ### [Antic Hay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/antic-hay) Protagonist who invents pneumatic trousers and grows a false beard to combat his disillusionment. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/i) Sits in chapel pondering God, invents pneumatic trousers, corrects papers, daydreams, and decides to leave his post. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/ii) Visits his father and Mr. Porteous, announces his invention of the Patent Small-Clothes, and discusses plans to exploit it commercially. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/iii) Visits Mr. Bojanus to order trousers, engages in a philosophical debate about revolution and liberty, then wanders Bond Street and meets Lypiatt. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/iv) Engages in the debate, defends the modern rejection of 'dreams,' and introduces his pneumatic trousers invention. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/v) Recalls past jealousy and revenge fantasies involving Mrs. Viveash, and is deeply moved by the plight of a poor couple he overhears. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/viii) Gumbril tries on his Patent Small-Clothes, discusses leadership with Mr. Bojanus, and orders a false beard, feeling he belongs to many herds but none completely. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/ix) Gumbril adopts the 'Complete Man' persona with a false beard and padded coat, feeling transformed into a Rabelaisian figure. He initiates a conversation with a mysterious woman at shop windows and later accompanies her to her flat. ### [The Patent Small-Clothes Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/x) Flattered by Boldero's praise, Gumbril eagerly participates in planning the marketing campaign for his invention. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xi) Sitting in his father's workroom, composing advertisements for the Patent Small-Clothes, feeling lazy and comfortable. He enjoys the irony of Shearwater unknowingly confiding in him about Rosie. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xii) Explores Emily's history, adopts a milder persona to win her trust, and reconciles with her after a failed advance. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xiii) Experiences a profound sense of happiness and enchantment with Emily, fearing the end of their timeless moment. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xiv) Meets Mrs. Viveash by chance and is persuaded to cancel his train to see Emily, feeling depressed and conflicted. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xv) Dances with Mrs. Viveash, muses on the song's nihilistic refrain, and recalls a tender memory of Emily. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xvi) Reluctantly tells the story of borrowing Coleman's beard; reveals his secret rooms in Great Russell Street; reflects on the futility of life. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xvii) Travels back to London after failing to find Emily; reads her letter repeatedly and reflects on their relationship; engages in conversation with an old gentleman on the train about overpopulation. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xxi) Returns to Mrs. Viveash, reveals Emily's disappearance, and plans to leave for Paris. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/chapters/xxii) Stands with Mrs. Viveash at a window, looking out at the river and St. Paul's, and engages in a brief exchange about the future. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters/theodore_gumbril - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antic_hay_se/characters