# Johnny Tarleton — Misalliance character guide

> Johnny Tarleton in Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Johnny, Johnny Hallo, Johnny Shortly, Johnny Rising, Johnny Fiercely, Johnny Flam, Johnny Sarcastic, Johnny With, Johnny Puzzled, Johnny Laughing

**First appearance:** 0000-misalliance

## Snapshot

Tarleton's plainspoken son, a young businessman who would rather read a novel in the sun than referee his sister's suitors or his father's enthusiasms.

## Who they are

Johnny occupies the glass pavilion like a man on permanent weekend leave, but his peace is constantly broken by Bentley's needling and the household's marital intrigues. He is blunt, physical, and unimpressed by cleverness, which makes him both a foil to the talkers around him and a reluctant enforcer when Bentley oversteps. His loyalty to Hypatia and his suspicion of the Summerhays match give the early arc its friction.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_social_

The narrator frequently observes and reports on Johnny's actions and dialogue, making him a central figure in the story.

### [Tarleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/tarleton)

_family_

Johnny is Tarleton's son, often clashing with his father's bombastic views and business decisions.

### [The Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/the_man)

_rivalry_

Johnny is suspicious and hostile toward the mysterious man, seeing him as a threat to his family and social order.

### [Bunny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/bunny)

_friendship_

Bunny and Johnny are companions who share a casual, often humorous rapport.

### [Gunner John Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/gunner_john_brown)

_rivalry_

The gunner and Johnny are antagonistic, with the gunner challenging Johnny's authority and privilege.

### [Lord Summerhays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/lord_summerhays)

_social_

Johnny and Lord Summerhays interact with polite formality, though Johnny is often dismissive of the aristocrat's views.

### [Patsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/patsy)

_family_

Johnny is Patsy's brother, and their relationship is marked by sibling teasing and affection.

## In the story

### [Misalliance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/chapters/misalliance)

Boasts about the family business and confronts Bentley.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters/johnny_tarleton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/misalliance_se/characters