# The English Comtist — Heretics character guide

> The English Comtist in Heretics by G. K. Chesterton.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the solid English Comtist, the English, The English

**First appearance:** 0001-heretics

## Who they are

A representative figure of English positivism following Auguste Comte.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_rivalry_

The English Comtist represents a positivist heresy that the narrator systematically refutes.

### [Bunyan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/bunyan)

_rivalry_

Bunyan's Christian allegory is contrasted with the Comtist's secular positivism to show the superiority of faith.

## In the story

### [Christmas and the Aesthetes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/chapters/vi-christmas-and-the-aesthetes)

The solid English Comtist dismisses Comte's ceremonial proposals as absurd, but Chesterton sees them as essential.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/the_english_comtist
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters