Chance · Character

Fyne

A solemn, pedestrian-loving civil servant whose chance marriage to the poet's daughter draws him into Flora's troubles and Captain Anthony's orbit.

supporting

Also known as Little Fyne, Mr. Fyne, the pedestrian Fyne, solemn little Fyne

First appearance: II: The Fynes and the Girlfriend

As a supporting figure in Chance, Fyne is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A pedestrian man who, with his wife, befriends and shelters Flora after her governess abandons her.

In the storyPart I: The DamselOpen this moment free

See Fyne in Part I: The Damsel Book page

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Fyne is a serious little man of the Civil Service who tramps England's footpaths and writes about them, married by pure accident to Miss Anthony. Earnest and grave, he takes Flora's plight more to heart than his wife does, and his loyalty to his brother-in-law complicates his judgment. His quiet decency and his pedestrian's persistence make him the hinge between the Fynes, the Anthonys, and the girl they cannot quite save.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Fyne sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Fyne in II: The Fynes and the Girlfriend

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Fyne sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Flora's orbit and ship crew
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and emotional peak of Captain Anthony’s deluded…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Flora de Barral
social · ambivalent
Flora is a guest and dependent of the Fyne family, with Fyne acting as a distant and… How this plays out →
Captain Anthony
social · ambivalent
Ted
social · neutral
Charles Powell
social · positive
Flora de Barral
social · ambivalent
Flora is a guest and dependent of the Fyne family, with Fyne acting as a distant and… How this plays out →
Flora de Barral
social · ambivalent
Flora is a guest and dependent of the Fyne family, with Fyne acting as a distant and… How this plays out →
Captain Anthony
social · ambivalent
Ted
social · neutral
Charles Powell
social · positive
Captain Anthony
social · ambivalent

Flora de Barral
Flora is a guest and dependent of the Fyne family, with Fyne acting as a distant and somewhat disapproving guardian figure.
Captain Anthony
Captain Anthony and Fyne are acquaintances with a formal relationship, connected through Flora and the Fyne household.
Ted
Fyne and Ted are social acquaintances, with Ted being a minor figure in Fyne's social circle.
Charles Powell
Powell and Fyne are social acquaintances, with Powell being a guest in the Fyne home and a friend of the family.
Flora de Barral
Flora is a guest and dependent of the Fyne family, with Fyne acting as a distant and somewhat disapproving guardian figure.
Flora de Barral
Flora is a guest and dependent of the Fyne family, with Fyne acting as a distant and somewhat disapproving guardian figure.
Captain Anthony
Captain Anthony and Fyne are acquaintances with a formal relationship, connected through Flora and the Fyne household.
Ted
Fyne and Ted are social acquaintances, with Ted being a minor figure in Fyne's social circle.
Charles Powell
Powell and Fyne are social acquaintances, with Powell being a guest in the Fyne home and a friend of the family.
Captain Anthony
Captain Anthony and Fyne are acquaintances with a formal relationship, connected through Flora and the Fyne household.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Fyne in II: The Fynes and the Girlfriend

In the story

Fyne appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Part I: The Damsel
A pedestrian man who, with his wife, befriends and shelters Flora after her governess abandons her.
I: Young Powell and His Chance
Mentioned as a friend of the narrator who was involved in helping Powell get his start, though he is not present in the main scene.
II: The Fynes and the Girlfriend
Endorses his wife's views, appears tired and solemn, and provides information about Flora's orphan status.
III: Thrift—and the Child
Provides Marlow with the narrative of de Barral's financial collapse and its aftermath.
IV: The Governess
Observes the events from his window, concerned about Flora's situation and the governess's intentions.
V: The Tea-Party
Accepts Marlow's invitation to tea on behalf of himself and his wife, appearing preoccupied.
VI: Flora
Appears at the end, catching a train, looking flustered and solemn.
VII: On the Pavement
Reluctantly shares the contents of Flora's letter with Marlow and goes on a mission to see Captain Anthony at the hotel.
Part II: The Knight
The pedestrian Fyne, who is somewhat bewildered by his wife's involvement in Flora's affairs and observes the unfolding events with a sense of unease.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Fyne unlock in the free preview.

See Fyne in II: The Fynes and the Girlfriend

See Fyne in Part I: The Damsel