# Jack Tanner — Man and Superman character guide

> Jack Tanner in Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** John Tanner, Tanner, Mr. John Tanner, Mr. Tanner, Tanner Caught, Tanner Everybody, Jack . Tanner, Tanner Politely, Tanner Brutally, Tanner Seriously, Tanner Impatiently, Tanner Drily, Tanner Rising, Tanner Totally, Tanner Aye, Tanner Chafing, Tanner Ought, Tanner Tavy, Tanner Straker, Tanner Of Louisa

**First appearance:** 0001-man-and-superman

## Snapshot

A brilliant, self-declared revolutionary who wrote the Revolutionist's Handbook and now finds himself outmaneuvered by the one force he never armed himself against: Ann.

## Who they are

Tanner is a wealthy socialist firebrand and newly appointed guardian to Ann Whitefield, a role he accepted with the confidence of a man who thinks he sees every trap. He lectures Octavius on Maeterlinck's bees, insisting that in courtship it is the man who is the pursued quarry — a theory he applies to everyone's romance but his own. His wit is his armor, and the play's early comedy turns on watching that armor develop cracks.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

Tanner and Ramsden are ideological adversaries, with Tanner's radical views clashing against Ramsden's conservative respectability.

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

_family_

Tanner is Violet's guardian and brother-in-law, and their relationship is marked by his protective yet often exasperated concern for her independence.

### [Ann Whitefield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/ann_whitefield)

_romantic_

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

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

_rivalry_

Tanner and Mendoza are philosophical and romantic rivals, with Mendoza leading a band of brigands and competing for Ann's attention.

### [Enry Straker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/enry_straker)

_professional_

Enry is Tanner's chauffeur and a representative of the new, practical working class, often challenging Tanner's intellectualism.

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

_friendship_

Tanner is Octavius's friend and rival for Ann's affection, often teasing him about his romantic idealism.

### [Rhoda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/rhoda)

_family_

Rhoda is Tanner's sister, and their relationship is one of sibling familiarity and mutual exasperation.

### [Don Juan Tenorio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/don_juan_tenorio)

_psychological_

Don Juan appears as Tanner's alter ego in the dream sequence, embodying Tanner's philosophical ideals and inner conflicts.

### [Hector Malone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/man_and_superman_se/characters/hector_malone)

_friendship_

Hector and Tanner become allies and friends, united by their shared opposition to conventional morality.

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

_rivalry_

Tanner and Ramsden are ideological adversaries, with Tanner's radical views clashing against Ramsden's conservative respectability.

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

_family_

Tanner is Violet's guardian and brother-in-law, and their relationship is marked by his protective yet often exasperated concern for her independence.

## Links

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