# Mr. John Vavasor — Can You Forgive Her? character guide > Mr. John Vavasor in Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Vavasor, John Vavasor, John, uncle John **First appearance:** 0000-i-mr-vavasor-and-his-daughter ## Snapshot Alice's affectionate, financially feckless father, a London gentleman whose easy loans to his nephew quietly shape his daughter's prospects. ## Who they are Mr. Vavasor is a genial man who lends money to his nephew George with a shrug and a 'it's only lent,' never quite reckoning what those loans cost his daughter. His casual generosity—or weakness—places Alice in an awkward position, entangled with relatives she cannot fully trust. His presence in the early chapters establishes the family's tangled finances and the quiet pressures that make Alice's engagement to Mr. Grey feel less like a choice than an escape. ## In the story ### [Mr. Vavasor and His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/i-mr-vavasor-and-his-daughter) Alice's father, a failed barrister turned assistant commissioner, who lives a separate life from his daughter and never dines at home. ### [John Grey, the Worthy Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/iii-john-grey-the-worthy-man) Mr. Vavasor dines at home to welcome John Grey, a rare event that Kate sarcastically notes as an auspicious omen. ### [George Vavasor, the Wild Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/iv-george-vavasor-the-wild-man) Alice's father, who is consulted by the squire about the estate and is described as a man who would do no ignoble deed. ### [John Grey Goes to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xi-john-grey-goes-to-london) Alice considers telling her father about her decision but decides against it, fearing his harsh reaction. ### [Alice Vavasor Becomes Troubled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xiv-alice-vavasor-becomes-troubled) Alice's father is deeply disturbed by her decision to break the engagement with John Grey and expresses his disapproval. ### [Paramount Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xv-paramount-crescent) Mr. Vavasor is mentioned as having advised John Grey to visit Alice in Cheltenham. ### [Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxi-alice-is-taught-to-grow-upwards-towards-the-light) Alice's father meets her in London and advises her to 'grow upwards, towards the light' by associating with the nobility. He approves of her visit to Matching Priory. ### [Among the Fells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxi-among-the-fells) Alice's father is present at breakfast, making brief comments about her engagement and defending his own silence on the matter. ### [XXXII: Containing an Answer to the Love Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxii-containing-an-answer-to-the-love-letter) Expresses strong disapproval of Alice's engagement to George, refusing to receive him as a son-in-law. ### [Mr. Vavasor Speaks to His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxiv-mr-vavasor-speaks-to-his-daughter) Confronts Alice about her engagement, expressing strong disapproval of George and threatening to withdraw financial support. ### [John Grey Goes a Second Time to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxvi-john-grey-goes-a-second-time-to-london) Meets with John Grey in London, expresses his powerlessness to prevent Alice from giving her fortune to George, and is moved by Grey's devotion. ### [Mr. Tombe’s Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxvii-mr-tombe-s-advice) Alice's father, who participates in the meeting with Mr. Tombe and John Grey, and informs Alice of the plan to give George money. ### [XLVI: A Love Gift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlvi-a-love-gift) Briefly comments on George's election, questioning the source of the money used. ### [Showing How Alice Was Punished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/liv-showing-how-alice-was-punished) Travels to Vavasor Hall after his father's death. He is disgusted by George's callous remark but agrees to share a chaise from Kendal. ### [The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lv-the-will) Executor of the will, anxious about managing the estate and preventing George from taking violent possession. ### [LVI: Another Walk on the Fells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lvi-another-walk-on-the-fells) The uncle to whom the estate is left; George accuses him of collusion. ### [Showing How the Wild Beast Got Himself Back from the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lvii-showing-how-the-wild-beast-got-himself-back-from-the-mountains) Visits Westmoreland to handle estate matters; discusses the will with Mr. Round; promises to convey Kate's invitation to Alice. ### [Alice Vavasor's Name Gets Into the Money Market](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lx-alice-vavasor-s-name-gets-into-the-money-market) Alice's father is in the house during Mr. Levy's visit, but Alice avoids consulting him to prevent interference with her gift to George. ### [The Bills Are Made All Right](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxi-the-bills-are-made-all-right) Distraught over Alice's financial imprudence, he seeks John Grey's help. ### [Mr. John Grey in Queen Anne Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxiii-mr-john-grey-in-queen-anne-street) Arranges the dinner with John Grey; criticizes the cook; attempts to facilitate a reconciliation between Alice and Grey. ### [The Story Is Finished Within the Halls of the Duke of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxx-the-story-is-finished-within-the-halls-of-the-duke-of-omnium) Meets the Greys at the railway in London to announce the birth of the Duke's heir. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mr_vavasor_sr - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters