# Brother John — Moving the Mountain character guide

> Brother John in Moving the Mountain by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** John, Brother

**First appearance:** 0001-moving-the-mountain

## Who they are

A philologist who wakes after thirty lost years to a topsy-turvy America, clinging to old ideals while his sister insists human nature itself has changed.

## Relationships

### [Nellie Robertson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/nellie_robertson)

_romantic_

Brother John and Nellie share a deep, intimate bond, likely a romantic relationship or strong mutual affection.

### [Owen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/owen)

_friendship_

Brother John and Owen are close companions, with Owen possibly serving as a confidant or ally.

### [Uncle Jake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/uncle_jake)

_family_

Brother John and Uncle Jake have a familial bond, possibly with Uncle Jake as an elder advisor or authority figure.

### [Frank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/frank)

_friendship_

Brother John and Frank are friends or allies, with Frank possibly a loyal companion.

### [Dr. Borderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/dr_borderson)

_professional_

Brother John and Dr. Borderson have a professional relationship, likely involving medical or advisory matters.

### [Nellie Robertson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/nellie_robertson)

_romantic_

Brother John and Nellie share a deep, intimate bond, likely a romantic relationship or strong mutual affection.

### [Owen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/owen)

_friendship_

Brother John and Owen are close companions, with Owen possibly serving as a confidant or ally.

### [Nellie Robertson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/nellie_robertson)

_romantic_

Brother John and Nellie share a deep, intimate bond, likely a romantic relationship or strong mutual affection.

### [Uncle Jake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/uncle_jake)

_family_

Brother John and Uncle Jake have a familial bond, possibly with Uncle Jake as an elder advisor or authority figure.

### [Owen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/owen)

_friendship_

Brother John and Owen are close companions, with Owen possibly serving as a confidant or ally.

### [Dr. Borderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/dr_borderson)

_professional_

Brother John and Dr. Borderson have a professional relationship, likely involving medical or advisory matters.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/i)

The narrator, found in Tibet after thirty years, now re-learning the world.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/ii)

Struggles to comprehend the new world, feeling a sense of loss and disorientation. He is skeptical of Nellie's explanations and finds the changes abhorrent.

### [Chapter III: The New World Unveiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/iii)

The protagonist, experiencing the new world with wonder and skepticism.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/iv)

Continues to question and learn about the new economic and social systems, struggling to understand concepts like the absence of poverty and the new food industry.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/v)

The protagonist, who is struggling to understand the new social order, particularly the changes in gender roles and family life. He is skeptical and often protests against the new norms.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/vi)

The protagonist, struggling to understand the new social and economic order, often questioning and comparing it to his past experiences.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/vii)

The narrator, who is touring the new society and questioning its principles.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/viii)

The narrator, who is puzzled and resentful about the changes and the new historical perspective.

### [Chapter IX: The New Education and Child-Culture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/ix)

Observes the new educational system with skepticism but begins to appreciate its benefits.

### [The New Education and the Arts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/x)

The narrator, observing and questioning the new society.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/xi)

Continues to question and learn about the new social and ethical order, struggling to reconcile it with his old beliefs.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/xii)

Continues his solo travels, feeling homesick and seeking the familiar, leading him to visit Uncle Jake's farm.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters/brother_john
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/characters