# George Gissing — In Darkest London character guide

> George Gissing in In Darkest London by Ada Elizabeth Chesterton.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** George

**First appearance:** 0001-in-darkest-london

## Who they are

A named individual, possibly a historical figure or acquaintance.

## Relationships

### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/characters/dick)

_friendship_

George Gissing and Dick share a mutual camaraderie, navigating the harsh realities of London together.

### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/characters/dick)

_friendship_

Dick and George Gissing share a companionable bond, often found together in the gritty London setting.

## In the story

### [In Darkest London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/in-darkest-london)

The author-narrator, experiencing the casual ward firsthand and reflecting on the plight of the poor.

### [I: “I Walked with Other Souls in Pain …”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/i-i-walked-with-other-souls-in-pain)

The author (narrator) is George Gissing, conducting the experiment in destitution.

### [II: The Fight to Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/ii-the-fight-to-work)

The author (narrator) reflects on her experiences and observations at the Mare Street Shelter.

### [III: The Hard-Faced Woman of Charity Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/iii-the-hard-faced-woman-of-charity-square)

The narrator (author surrogate) experiences the labour exchange, charring work, and selling matches.

### [IV: The House in Kennedy Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/iv-the-house-in-kennedy-court)

The narrator, who observes and participates in the life of Kennedy Court, reflecting on her own acquired furtive manner and the psychology of destitution.

### [V: The Price of a Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/v-the-price-of-a-bed)

The author (Orwell) is the narrator, but the chapter is written from his perspective as George Gissing.

### [VI: The Black Plush Coat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/vi-the-black-plush-coat)

The narrator (author surrogate) continues her experiment in destitution, selling matches and seeking cook work.

### [VII: Knocking at the Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/vii-knocking-at-the-gate)

The author narrates her own experiences and observations, speaking in first person as the experimenter.

### [X: A Very Gallant Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/x-a-very-gallant-gentleman)

A war chum of Dick's who recognizes the narrator from the Asylums Board and expresses concern about her being sent to the workhouse.

### [XI: Womanhood—In Extremis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/xi-womanhood-in-extremis)

The narrator (author surrogate) experiences the night in the Salvation Army shelter, reflecting on the plight of homeless women.

### [XII: A Word to the Well-Fed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/xii-a-word-to-the-well-fed)

The narrator (authorial persona) describes her own experience washing dishes and her reactions to destitution.

### [XIV: At St. Crispin’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/chapters/xiv-at-st-crispin-s)

The author narrates the chapter, observing and reporting on the operations and atmosphere of St. Crispin’s refuge.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/characters/george_gissing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_darkest_london_se/characters