Jude the Obscure · Character

Gillingham

Phillotson's friend and confidant who advises him on his marriage.

minor

Also known as Mr. Gillingham

Gillingham's tie to Richard Phillotson is one of the pressures that moves Jude the Obscure—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mentioned as a neighbouring schoolmaster who called on Phillotson.

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See Gillingham in III Book page

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With Richard Phillotson (friendship): Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises. With Sue Bridehead (social): Acquaintance who observes Sue's unconventional behavior with disapproval.

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See Gillingham in jude the obscure

Character Web

8 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Other

Character groups

Jude's personal circle
Protagonist

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Jude’s emotional and psychological peak occurs when he declares his intention to commit suicide, having “seen…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Richard Phillotson
friendship · positive
Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises. How this plays out →
Sue Bridehead
social · negative
Richard Phillotson
friendship · positive
Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises. How this plays out →
Sue Bridehead
social · negative
Richard Phillotson
friendship · positive
Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises. How this plays out →
Sue Bridehead
social · negative

Richard Phillotson
Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises.
Sue Bridehead
Acquaintance who observes Sue's unconventional behavior with disapproval.
Richard Phillotson
Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises.
Sue Bridehead
Acquaintance who observes Sue's unconventional behavior with disapproval.
Richard Phillotson
Loyal friend and confidant who advises Phillotson through his marital crises.
Sue Bridehead
Acquaintance who observes Sue's unconventional behavior with disapproval.

Relationship notes

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

See Gillingham in jude the obscure

In the story

Gillingham appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
Mentioned as a neighbouring schoolmaster who called on Phillotson.
Chapter IV
Gillingham advises Phillotson to keep Sue but ultimately helps him pack her things after she leaves.
VI
Gillingham is Phillotson's loyal friend who advises him to resign quietly and later writes an anonymous letter to Sue informing her of Phillotson's illness.
I
Mentioned in the context of Gillingham's doubts being disposed of as the narrative moves forward.
IV
Gillingham is Phillotson's old friend and companion. He accompanies Phillotson to Christminster and later stays with him at Marygreen. He makes a cynical remark about Sue having 'taken care to set you right' after the divorce.
V
Phillotson's friend who assists in the ceremony and encourages him to go through with the remarriage.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Gillingham in jude the obscure

See Gillingham in III