# George Frenside — Hudson River Bracketed character guide > George Frenside in Hudson River Bracketed by Edith Wharton. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** old George Frenside, Frenside, George, Poor Frenside, old Frenside, Mr. Frenside **First appearance:** 0006-iii ## Snapshot A sharp-tongued literary critic and Tarrant family intimate, whose dry laugh and blunt verdicts cut through everyone's self-deceptions. ## Who they are Frenside is the older man in the room who listens musingly over his pipe and then delivers the sentence no one wants — 'Well, my dear, you have made a mess of it!' He moves easily among editors, salons, and the Tarrants' circle, a friend whose loyalty never softens his judgment. His presence gives the novel its clearest window onto the literary establishment Vance is trying to enter, and his verdicts measure the distance between ambition and achievement. ## Relationships ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _professional_ George Frenside is a seasoned editor and mentor who guides Vance's literary development with critical insight. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _friendship_ George Frenside is a wise, paternal friend to Halo, offering her counsel and understanding about her feelings for Vance. ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _professional_ George Frenside is a seasoned editor and mentor who guides Vance's literary development with critical insight. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _friendship_ George Frenside is a wise, paternal friend to Halo, offering her counsel and understanding about her feelings for Vance. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _friendship_ George Frenside is a wise, paternal friend to Halo, offering her counsel and understanding about her feelings for Vance. ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _professional_ George Frenside is a seasoned editor and mentor who guides Vance's literary development with critical insight. ## In the story ### [Hudson River Bracketed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/hudson-river-bracketed) An older intellectual who mentors Vance and represents the artistic struggle. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-i) An older intellectual who mentors Vance and introduces him to the literary world. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-ii) A mentor-like figure who influences Vance's creative and philosophical outlook. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/vii) Present on the verandah, brooding and smoking; known for his critical mind and artistic struggles. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/x) Observes the scene with his characteristic cigar and dry humor. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xi) Literary critic met at Eaglewood lunch; shows little interest in Vance's desire to join a newspaper; Halo has given him Vance's poetry to read. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-iii) Mentor figure influencing Vance's literary path. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xv) Literary adviser at The Hour; critiques Vance's poetry and encourages him to write prose. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-iv) Offers guidance and critique, influencing Vance's artistic path. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xvi) Engages Halo in a conversation about happiness and the fate of The Hour, offering his characteristic cynical wisdom. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xix) Frenside is referenced as a critic whose judgments Vance acknowledges were correct, and as a friend of Lewis Tarrant. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xx) Visits the Tarrants, discusses Vance's work and the direction of The Hour. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxii) Frenside warns Vance not to tie himself up too far ahead, advising him to keep free as long as he can. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-v) A mentor or influential figure in Vance's literary world. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxiv) Present at the party, offers gruff comments and advice to Vance. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxix) Suggests that Tarrant travel to London and Paris to revive the New Hour's fortunes. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-vi) Mentor or influential figure in Vance's literary world. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxii) Offers Vance advice on art and life, and a loan of a hundred dollars. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxiii) Inspires Vance with his blunt encouragement, telling him he has 'the stuff' to write a great American novel and urging him to engage more with society. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxiv) Present at the party, described as gruffly benevolent. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxv) Accompanies Halo to the exhibition; makes a gloomy comment about the bust. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xliii) Vance tries to visit him but finds him away. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/george_frenside - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters