# Ross — Armed with Madness character guide > Ross in Armed with Madness by Mary Butts. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Ross, great Ross, Ross Ross **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot Ross, cool and self-controlled, draws plants by day and absorbs other people's grief by night, unable to help even when he wants to. ## Who they are Ross is the group's still center, a naturalist-trained painter who copies a plant exactly and plans to reinvent it tomorrow. When Felix collapses sobbing, Ross cannot control his own aversion to speak or to help, and he finds himself edging away like a man about to be shot at. His detachment gives the reader a measuring eye on the others' fever, even as his own coolness becomes its own kind of failure. ## Relationships ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _friendship_ Dudley and Ross are close companions, frequently interacting with easygoing banter and shared adventures. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/picus) _friendship_ Picus and Ross are friendly companions, often interacting with a sense of shared mischief and loyalty. ### [Scylla Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/scylla_taverner) _friendship_ Ross is a warm, supportive friend to Scylla, though their interactions are less intense than others'. ### [Felix Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/felix_taverner) _friendship_ Felix and Ross are easygoing friends, frequently collaborating and joking together. ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _friendship_ Dudley and Ross are close companions, frequently interacting with easygoing banter and shared adventures. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/picus) _friendship_ Picus and Ross are friendly companions, often interacting with a sense of shared mischief and loyalty. ### [Felix Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/felix_taverner) _friendship_ Felix and Ross are easygoing friends, frequently collaborating and joking together. ### [Scylla Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/scylla_taverner) _friendship_ Ross is a warm, supportive friend to Scylla, though their interactions are less intense than others'. ### [Felix Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/felix_taverner) _friendship_ Felix and Ross are easygoing friends, frequently collaborating and joking together. ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _friendship_ Dudley and Ross are close companions, frequently interacting with easygoing banter and shared adventures. ### [Scylla Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/scylla_taverner) _friendship_ Ross is a warm, supportive friend to Scylla, though their interactions are less intense than others'. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/picus) _friendship_ Picus and Ross are friendly companions, often interacting with a sense of shared mischief and loyalty. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/i) Friend of Scylla and Felix; lies on the rocks eating pink seaweed; comments on the impending arrival of an American visitor; has a long neck and a wild animal-like grin. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/ii) Ross is described as self-sufficient, with strong appetites satisfied, and laughs at Scylla for not knowing what he knows. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/iii) One of the men from Tollerdown, who produces the cup and is defensive about its discovery. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/v) Goes painting alone; senses the group's bewilderment and his own instincts against Carston. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vi) Mentions a mass said at Corbenic; enters the library with Clarence and Felix. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vii) Arranges chairs on the verandah, advises Carston not to seek Scylla, discusses stars and weather. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/viii) Ross warns Scylla about Picus and Carston, expresses distrust of Americans, and senses that trouble is beginning. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/ix) Arrives with Scylla and Picus, and comments that Picus lost the group first. ### [The Search for the Cup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/x) Asks Picus how he lost the others; his room has a Buddha in a red lacquer shrine. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xii) Questions Scylla and Picus about the cup's appearance in Carston's room. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xiv) Also sends Carston a farewell message. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned in Carston's thoughts as part of the group. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvi) Helps Scylla with Mr. Tracy, questions Picus about his mother's death. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvii) Witnesses Felix's breakdown with aversion, feels ache and dislike, and withdraws into his painting. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xviii) Embraces solitude and focuses on tangible details; examines the cup photograph; demands Picus tell what he knows. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xix) Not present in this chapter. ### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/ross) Ross is deeply engaged in his artistic and naturalist work late at night, drawing a plant and tending to his seed collection. He reflects on his nurturing of life and his indifferent kindness toward others. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/picus) Picus recalls Ross's stable tip in invisible affairs. ### [Lydia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/lydia) Mentioned in the recollection of nicknames; called 'bird-catcher' and teased Lydia by calling her 'wolf-alone.' ### [Felix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/felix) The American who develops an intoxicated conscience, retrieves Felix's hat, pays for the broken window, and shows nervousness before refusing to continue the night. ### [Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence) Mentioned as a figure who might have joined a carouse or lain out under the stars; the shepherd's wife feels affection for him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/ross - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters