# Bertram Cope — Bertram Cope’s Year character guide > Bertram Cope in Bertram Cope’s Year by Henry Blake Fuller. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Cope, Mr. Cope, young Cope **First appearance:** 0000-i-cope-at-a-college-tea ## Snapshot A handsome, cautious graduate student whose reserved charm draws a circle of admirers he never quite knows how to hold. ## Who they are Cope arrives in a university town as a promising young man with fine hair, a resonant voice, and a habit of caution that shades into inexpressiveness. At Medora Phillips's dinner table he is meant to shine, but the flowers, lights, and burgundy overwhelm him, and he faints before he can sing. His guardedness and his physical appeal make him a screen onto which hostesses, suitors, and friends project their own desires, and that mismatch drives the social comedy and quiet unease of the novel's first half. ## Relationships ### [Medora Phillips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/medora_phillips) _psychological_ Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination. ### [Basil Randolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/basil_randolph) _psychological_ Basil Randolph is obsessively infatuated with Bertram Cope, pursuing him with a mix of admiration and possessive desire. ### [Amy Leffingwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/amy_leffingwell) _romantic_ Amy Leffingwell is romantically interested in Bertram Cope, though her feelings are largely unreciprocated. ### [Arthur Lemoyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/arthur_lemoyne) _friendship_ Arthur Lemoyne is a close friend and confidant of Bertram Cope, sharing a bond of mutual support. ### [Hortense Dunton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/hortense_dunton) _romantic_ Hortense Dunton is romantically attracted to Bertram Cope, but he remains emotionally distant and evasive. ### [Carolyn Thorpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/carolyn_thorpe) _romantic_ Carolyn Thorpe pursues Bertram Cope romantically, though he shows little genuine interest in her. ### [Joe Foster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/joe_foster) _friendship_ Bertram Cope and Joe Foster are casual friends, with Foster often acting as a bridge to other social groups. ### [Medora Phillips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/medora_phillips) _psychological_ Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination. ### [Basil Randolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/basil_randolph) _psychological_ Basil Randolph is obsessively infatuated with Bertram Cope, pursuing him with a mix of admiration and possessive desire. ### [Medora Phillips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/medora_phillips) _psychological_ Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination. ### [Amy Leffingwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/amy_leffingwell) _romantic_ Amy Leffingwell is romantically interested in Bertram Cope, though her feelings are largely unreciprocated. ### [Amy Leffingwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/amy_leffingwell) _romantic_ Amy Leffingwell is romantically interested in Bertram Cope, though her feelings are largely unreciprocated. ## In the story ### [I: Cope at a College Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/i-cope-at-a-college-tea) A young instructor of about twenty-four, self-conscious about his age and status, resentful of being treated as a boy but skilled at performing affability. ### [II: Cope Makes a Sunday Afternoon Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/ii-cope-makes-a-sunday-afternoon-call) Makes his first Sunday afternoon call on Mrs. Phillips; engages in witty, slightly defiant conversation; mentally composes a letter to Arthur Lemoyne describing the visit. ### [III: Cope Is "Entertained"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/iii-cope-is-entertained) The guest of honor, who is entertained by the young women and later sings for them; he mentally writes a letter to Arthur Lemoyne. ### [IV: Cope Is Considered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/iv-cope-is-considered) Subject of Randolph's investigation; his faculty page is now in place, showing his interest in English Literature. ### [V: Cope Is Considered Further](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/v-cope-is-considered-further) Discussed by Randolph and Foster; his singing is heard but not seen; described as having a cool, correct baritone and a detached manner. ### [VI: Cope Dines—and Tells About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/vi-cope-dines-and-tells-about-it) Writes a letter to Arthur Lemoyne describing his dinner at Mrs. Phillips' and his social life. ### [VII: Cope Under Scrutiny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/vii-cope-under-scrutiny) Writes a lengthy letter to Arthur Lemoyne, describing his interactions with Basil Randolph and his longing for Lemoyne's company. ### [Cope Undertakes an Excursion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/viii-cope-undertakes-an-excursion) Subject of Randolph's account: declined cocktails, avoided direct address, and shows enthusiasm for the excursion to the sandhills. ### [IX: Cope on the Edge of Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/ix-cope-on-the-edge-of-things) Shows youthful vigor and reluctance about romantic pursuits. ### [X: Cope at His House Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/x-cope-at-his-house-party) Cope is the guest of honor, praised by Mrs. Phillips, and takes a walk where he admires the scenery, interacts with other guests, and suggests names for two pine trees. ### [XI: Cope Enlivens the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xi-cope-enlivens-the-country) Sings well, avoids bathing, and engages in philosophical stone-skipping with Amy. ### [Cope Amidst Cross-Purposes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xii-cope-amidst-cross-purposes) Receives and ruminates on a letter from Arthur Lemoyne; discusses his thesis and living quarters with Randolph; imagines sharing a room with Lemoyne. ### [XIII: Cope Dines Again—and Stays After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xiii-cope-dines-again-and-stays-after) The young man faints at Mrs. Phillips' formal dinner due to overindulgence and fatigue, then recovers to walk to campus with Amy. ### [Cope Makes an Evasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xiv-cope-makes-an-evasion) Referenced as the subject of Foster's bitterness; his fainting episode is discussed. ### [XV: Cope Entertains Several Ladies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xv-cope-entertains-several-ladies) Recovering from illness, entertains Medora Phillips and Amy Leffingwell with photographs, writes to Arthur Lemoyne. ### [XVI: Cope Goes A-Sailing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xvi-cope-goes-a-sailing) Recovers from his illness, disregards advice from his aunt and Mrs. Phillips, goes sailing with Amy, and ends up capsized and rescued. ### [XVII: Cope Among Crosscurrents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xvii-cope-among-crosscurrents) Embarrassed by the sailing incident, ill at ease in class and at the reception, avoids calling on Amy, accepts Randolph's dinner invitation. ### [XVIII: Cope at the Call of Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xviii-cope-at-the-call-of-duty) Makes a long-delayed call; feels uneasy about being heroized; sings reluctantly; begins an improvised legend about sassafras. ### [XIX: Cope Finds Himself Committed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xix-cope-finds-himself-committed) Feeling trapped by Amy's expectations, he reluctantly kisses her and agonizes over his commitment, repulsed by the conventional life ahead. ### [XX: Cope Has a Distressful Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xx-cope-has-a-distressful-christmas) Cope is distressed by his engagement to Amy, seeks to keep it quiet, and confides in Lemoyne. He is moody at home and finally announces the engagement to his family. ### [XXI: Cope, Safeguarded, Calls Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxi-cope-safeguarded-calls-again) Returns from Freeford engaged to Amy; visits Mrs. Phillips with Lemoyne, singing and displaying animation. ### [Cope Shall Be Rescued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxii-cope-shall-be-rescued) Leaves before breakfast with Lemoyne, exhausted and distressed; meets Randolph at the library and expresses despair over Amy, saying 'let him' win her. ### [XXIII: Cope Regains His Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxiii-cope-regains-his-freedom) Ends his engagement to Amy, feels relief, and decides to focus on his thesis. ### [XXIV: Cope in Danger Anew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxiv-cope-in-danger-anew) Recovers from his earlier embarrassment, attends the opera with Mrs. Phillips, and agrees to sit for Hortense's portrait despite Lemoyne's warnings. ### [XXV: Cope in Double Danger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxv-cope-in-double-danger) Focuses on his thesis and domestic life with Lemoyne; feels pressured by Carolyn's sonnets and Hortense's portrait. ### [XXVI: Cope as a Go-Between](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxvi-cope-as-a-go-between) Acts as a go-between for Randolph and Lemoyne; shows signs of fatigue and pallor from overwork on his thesis. ### [XXVII: Cope Escapes a Snare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxvii-cope-escapes-a-snare) Visits Hortense for a portrait sitting, determined to make it the only one; deflects her emotional advances with cold detachment. ### [Cope Absent from a Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxviii-cope-absent-from-a-wedding) Absent from the wedding; his name is invoked by Hortense in a hysterical outburst. ### [Cope Again in the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxix-cope-again-in-the-country) Accompanies Medora and Carolyn to the dunes; feels relief from past romantic complications; concerned about Lemoyne's neglect of his studies. ### [Cope as a Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxx-cope-as-a-hero) Raises the alarm during the intrusion, but feels he contributed only noise; uncomfortable with being hailed as a hero. ### [XXXI: Cope Gets New Light on His Chum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxi-cope-gets-new-light-on-his-chum) Returns to Churchton, plays tennis, grows uneasy with Lemoyne's theatrical preoccupations, and feels personal chagrin at Lemoyne's downfall. ### [XXXII: Cope Takes His Degree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxii-cope-takes-his-degree) Takes his degree at convocation, appears aloof and distant from Randolph and Medora, and quickly departs with his parents. ### [Cope in a Final View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxiii-cope-in-a-final-view) Leaves Freeford after graduation; sends a brief letter to Carolyn Thorpe from Winnebago, Wisconsin, mentioning a new post in the East. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters/bertram_cope - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/characters