# Ann Whitefield — Man and Superman character guide

> Ann Whitefield in Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ann, Annie, Miss Ann, Whitefield, Miss Whitefield, Miss Ann Whitefield, Ann Resuming, Ann Gently, Ann Flashing, Ann Quietly, Ann All, Ann Oh Jack, Ann Cold, Ann Earnestly, Ann Violet, Ann Rhoda, Ann Supine, Ann Half whispering, Ann Alarmed, Ann Hm

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i

## Snapshot

A dutiful daughter with a genius for getting her way, she turns mourning, modesty, and moral obligation into instruments for pursuing the one man clever enough to resist her.

## Who they are

Ann is the orphaned center of the Whitefield household, newly under the guardianship of Ramsden and Tanner, and universally praised for her devotion to duty. When Octavius proposes, she deflects him with tears and talk of her father, then insists propriety requires him to approach her guardians first — a maneuver that quietly redirects everything toward Tanner. Her charm is real, her purpose is deeper than anyone around her suspects, and she drives the play's central chase.

## Relationships

### [Jack Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/jack_tanner)

_romantic_

Ann is the Life Force personified, relentlessly pursuing Tanner as her destined mate despite his philosophical resistance.

### [Violet Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/violet_robinson)

_friendship_

Ann and Violet share a close, confiding friendship, often discussing marriage and social strategy with mutual understanding.

### [Roebuck Ramsden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/roebuck_ramsden)

_social_

Ann maintains a polite, respectful relationship with Ramsden as her father's old friend and co-guardian.

### [Mendoza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/mendoza)

_social_

Ann and Mendoza have a fleeting, antagonistic acquaintance, with Ann dismissing his romantic advances.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/ann_whitefield
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters