Master Flea · Character

George Pepusch

Peregrine's blunt, clear-eyed friend, who warns the flea-tamer against tricks he cannot control and pays dearly for being right.

major

Also known as Pepusch, good Pepusch, friend Pepusch, Mr. George Pepusch, Mr. Pepusch, the angry Pepusch

First appearance: i first adventure

As a major figure in Master Flea, George Pepusch is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Visits the flea-tamer late in the evening, witnesses the chaos, and confronts Leeuwenhoek about Dörtje Elverdink's disappearance and his mistreatment of her.

In the storyII: Second AdventureOpen this moment free

See George Pepusch in II: Second Adventure Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Pepusch is the one man in Frankfurt who tells Leeuwenhoek the truth to his face, and the one who loves Dörtje Elverdink with a passion that overrides caution and friendship alike. When Leeuwenhoek's trained fleas turn out to be peppercorns and the audience turns violent, it is Pepusch who demands answers and receives only despair. His furious devotion sets him on a collision course with Peregrine, making him both the story's conscience and its most dangerous rival.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of George Pepusch sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See George Pepusch in i first adventure

Character Web

14 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Professional
Other

Character groups

Magical and scientific figures
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the narrative reaches its dramatic climax because Peregrine experiences the emotional peak of…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Peregrine Tyss
friendship · positive
George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences… How this plays out →
Master Flea
friendship · positive
Princess Gamaheh
social · positive
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
professional · positive
The Thistle
rivalry · negative
Princess Gamaheh
social · positive
Peregrine Tyss
friendship · positive
George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences… How this plays out →
Master Flea
friendship · positive
The Thistle
rivalry · negative
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
professional · positive
Master Flea
friendship · positive
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
professional · positive

Peregrine Tyss
George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences throughout the story.
Master Flea
George and Master Flea share a whimsical bond, with the flea often aiding George in his schemes.
Princess Gamaheh
George is an acquaintance of Princess Gamaheh, often involved in the courtly intrigues surrounding her.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Leeuwenhoek and George interact as naturalist and assistant, with George helping in scientific observations.
The Thistle
George and The Thistle are adversaries, often clashing in the story's conflicts.
Princess Gamaheh
George is an acquaintance of Princess Gamaheh, often involved in the courtly intrigues surrounding her.
Peregrine Tyss
George and Peregrine are close companions, sharing many adventures and confidences throughout the story.
Master Flea
George and Master Flea share a whimsical bond, with the flea often aiding George in his schemes.
The Thistle
George and The Thistle are adversaries, often clashing in the story's conflicts.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Leeuwenhoek and George interact as naturalist and assistant, with George helping in scientific observations.
Master Flea
George and Master Flea share a whimsical bond, with the flea often aiding George in his schemes.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Leeuwenhoek and George interact as naturalist and assistant, with George helping in scientific observations.

Relationship notes

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

See George Pepusch in i first adventure

In the story

George Pepusch appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: Second Adventure
Visits the flea-tamer late in the evening, witnesses the chaos, and confronts Leeuwenhoek about Dörtje Elverdink's disappearance and his mistreatment of her.
IV: Fourth Adventure
Reveals himself as the Thistle Zeherit, claims Princess Gamaheh's hand, and reacts with jealous fury upon hearing of Dörtje's behavior, ultimately being arrested and then bailed by Peregrine.
Fifth Adventure
Snatches Dörtje from Peregrine, later subdued by Swammerdam and Leeuwenhoek, squeezed thin and then restored to his natural form.
Sixth Adventure
Falls at Gamaheh's feet in despair; defends her from Leech; shows jealousy toward Peregrine.
Seventh Adventure
Confronts Peregrine in jealous rage over Dörtje; storms out after Gamaheh intervenes; later sits stiff and corpse-like.

Chapter companion notes

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

See George Pepusch in i first adventure

See George Pepusch in II: Second Adventure