# The General — Getting Married character guide

> The General in Getting Married by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** General Bridgenorth, Mr. Bridgenorth

**First appearance:** 0054-getting-married

## Snapshot

The retired soldier and father of the bride, who has given away so many daughters that the sight of a wedding cake still sends him out the garden door.

## Who they are

General Bridgenorth is a man of duty and habit who has done his paternal office at wedding after wedding and now finds the ritual unbearable in a way he cannot articulate. His abrupt exit from the cake — noted by Collins with affectionate amusement — hints at a private cost beneath the military bearing, and his traditionalism makes him a natural foil to the play's arguing guests. He matters as the silent, slightly wounded representative of the older generation whose marriages the younger characters are busy renegotiating.

## Relationships

### [Lesbia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/characters/lesbia)

_family_

Lesbia and The General are likely siblings or close relatives, with a dynamic of affectionate bickering and shared history.

### [Reginald Hotchkiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/characters/reginald_hotchkiss)

_rivalry_

Reginald Hotchkiss and The General are antagonists, clashing over social status and romantic interests.

## In the story

### [Preface to Getting Married](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/preface-to-getting-married)

Mentioned as a character representing traditional views on marriage.

### [Hearth and Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/hearth-and-home)

Implied in the discussion of family structure and patriarchal authority.

### [Domestic Change of Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/domestic-change-of-air)

Implied as part of the triple household example involving intermarriages.

### [Shelley and Queen Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/shelley-and-queen-victoria)

Referenced indirectly as part of the conventional establishment that assumes moral superiority.

### [The Personal Sentimental Basis of Monogamy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/the-personal-sentimental-basis-of-monogamy)

Not directly mentioned; placeholder for potential future reference.

### [Male Economic Slavery and the Rights of Bachelors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/male-economic-slavery-and-the-rights-of-bachelors)

Referenced indirectly as part of the propertied class whose younger sons are raised in high expenditure households.

### [Getting Married](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/chapters/getting-married)

Represents traditional views on marriage and authority.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/characters/the_general
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/getting_married_se/characters