# Harry Chitterlow — Kipps character guide

> Harry Chitterlow in Kipps by H. G. Wells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Chitterlow, Harry, old Harry, little Harry, Mrs. Chitterlow

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-chitterlow

## Snapshot

A boisterous, threadbare playwright who collides with Kipps outside a theatre and, through an advertisement and a drink, accidentally sets the whole fortune in motion.

## Who they are

Chitterlow is all enthusiasm, theatrical anecdote, and grand schemes for plays that have not yet reached the stage, and he treats Kipps as a fellow spirit rather than a mark. His friendship is warm, indiscreet, and socially embarrassing, which is precisely why Helen wants him dropped and why Kipps cannot quite do it. He matters because he is the accidental author of Kipps's luck and the standing test of whether Kipps will be loyal to the people who knew him before the money.

## Relationships

### [Arthur Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/arthur_kipps)

_friendship_

Harry Chitterlow is a boisterous playwright and friend who introduces Arthur to new social circles and encourages his theatrical ambitions.

### [Arthur Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/arthur_kipps)

_friendship_

Harry Chitterlow is a boisterous playwright and friend who introduces Arthur to new social circles and encourages his theatrical ambitions.

### [Arthur Kipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/arthur_kipps)

_friendship_

Harry Chitterlow is a boisterous playwright and friend who introduces Arthur to new social circles and encourages his theatrical ambitions.

## In the story

### [IV: Chitterlow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/iv-chitterlow)

Chitterlow crashes his bicycle into Kipps, then befriends him, taking him to his lodgings. He shares vivid anecdotes about his theatrical past, reads a scene from a farcical comedy, and sews Kipps' torn trousers. He encourages Kipps to consider a career in dramatic criticism.

### [Swapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/v-swapped)

Chitterlow hosts Kipps after the accident, gives him anchovy on toast as a pick-me-up, and encourages him to face Shalford.

### [The New Conditions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/i-the-new-conditions)

Mentioned by Kipps as a friend who might lead him into wild behavior.

### [V: The Pupil Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/v-the-pupil-lover)

Chitterlow's boisterous appearance in public embarrasses Kipps and alarms Helen, representing the vulgarity she seeks to eliminate.

### [II: The Callers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/ii-the-callers)

Sends an illegible postcard to Kipps, likely about his play; Kipps cannot read it.

### [Terminations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/chapters/iii-terminations)

Returns in a state of emotional triumph after his play becomes a success, having received two thousand pounds from Kipps.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters/harry_chitterlow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kipps_se/characters