# Teddy — Mr. Britling Sees It Through character guide > Teddy in Mr. Britling Sees It Through by H. G. Wells. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sir Edward Carson, Edward Carson, Teddy, old Teddy, the dead Teddy **First appearance:** 0002-1 ## Snapshot A young friend of the Britling family who enlists early, becomes a prisoner, and whose fate shadows the household's experience of the war. ## Who they are Teddy is part of the younger generation around Matching's Easy whose going to war makes Cecily's reproaches to Direck so sharp and personal. His captivity and eventual death register the war's cost in the most intimate terms, turning statistics into grief. He matters less for what he does on the page than for what his absence does to the people who loved him, especially as the novel moves from talk toward mourning. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Direck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/mr_direck) _friendship_ Mr. Direck and Teddy are friendly companions, with Teddy often serving as a cheerful guide and local contact for Direck. ### [Letty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/letty) _romantic_ Letty and Teddy are in a romantic relationship, marked by youthful affection and mutual devotion. ### [Mr. Britling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/mr_britling) _family_ Mr. Britling is Teddy's father, a relationship marked by paternal affection and concern for his son's future. ### [Hugh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/hugh) _family_ Hugh and Teddy are brothers, sharing a close sibling bond with mutual affection and rivalry. ### [Miss Corner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/miss_corner) _social_ Miss Corner and Teddy are acquaintances, with Teddy often caught in the middle of her romantic schemes involving Direck. ### [Mr. Direck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/mr_direck) _friendship_ Mr. Direck and Teddy are friendly companions, with Teddy often serving as a cheerful guide and local contact for Direck. ### [Letty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/letty) _romantic_ Letty and Teddy are in a romantic relationship, marked by youthful affection and mutual devotion. ### [Mr. Direck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/mr_direck) _friendship_ Mr. Direck and Teddy are friendly companions, with Teddy often serving as a cheerful guide and local contact for Direck. ### [Miss Corner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/miss_corner) _social_ Miss Corner and Teddy are acquaintances, with Teddy often caught in the middle of her romantic schemes involving Direck. ### [Mr. Britling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/mr_britling) _family_ Mr. Britling is Teddy's father, a relationship marked by paternal affection and concern for his son's future. ### [Hugh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/hugh) _family_ Hugh and Teddy are brothers, sharing a close sibling bond with mutual affection and rivalry. ### [Miss Corner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/miss_corner) _social_ Miss Corner and Teddy are acquaintances, with Teddy often caught in the middle of her romantic schemes involving Direck. ## In the story ### [§ 9](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/9) A pleasant young man with dark hair and blue eyes, referred to as 'Teddy' by the company. ### [II: Mr. Britling Continues His Exposition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/ii-mr-britling-continues-his-exposition) Mr. Britling's secretary; described as easygoing, confident, and lacking in questioning; contrasts sharply with Herr Heinrich. ### [§ 8](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/8) Comes in a fatherly way to look after Mr. Direck and see to his draperies before supper. ### [§ 9](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/9) Helps Direck dress, dances alone with Egyptian gestures, and wheels the perambulator away. ### [§ 10](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/10) Described by Mr. Britling as his secretary, a young man who married Letty in the Christmas holidays and now lives in a cottage. He is characterized by his confidence and laxness. ### [§ 3](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/3) Gives Mr. Direck practical advice on dressing for the game. ### [§ 4](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/4) Plays hockey alongside Cecily, part of an efficient attacking duo. ### [§ 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/6) Briefly identifies Bosnia as being in Austria. ### [V: The Coming of the Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/v-the-coming-of-the-day) Assists Mr. Direck with a typewriter; plays badminton with Mr. Britling. ### [§ 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/1) Assists Mr. Direck in getting up and dressed to come down to lunch. ### [§ 2](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/2) Tries to help Direck with a typewriter, participates in mirror-writing experiments, and plays badminton with Britling. ### [§ 3](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/3) Sir Edward Carson is depicted as a dark, obstinate figure at the Buckingham Palace conference, whose 'solemn violence' and egotism Mr. Britling finds intensely antipathetic. ### [§ 11](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/11) Engages in dart-throwing and hurries past Mr. Britling, focused on winning a sugar-basin. ### [§ 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/13) Participates in the hockey game and is questioned by Mr. Britling about the point of playing instead of preparing for war. ### [I: Onlookers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/i-onlookers) Present at breakfast, participating in the conversation about the war's historical context. ### [§ 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/6) Participates in the conversation, making a comment about the first conquest. ### [§ 10](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/10) Participates in the goose-step march with the others. ### [§ 15](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/15) Present at the cottage, listens to Direck's report, and comments on the army being lost in France. ### [II: Taking Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/ii-taking-part) Present at the dinner table discussion, described as an 'assenting voice' to Mr. Britling's discourse. ### [§ 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/1) Mentioned as 'preposterous Carson' in Mr. Britling's thoughts about the government. ### [§ 3](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/3) An assenting voice during Mr. Britling's discourse. ### [§ 5](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/5) Decides to enlist in the army, leaves for London to train, and returns in khaki, eager for a commission. ### [§ 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/6) Teddy is mentioned as having made a serious and patriotic announcement that prompted Hugh's decision. ### [§ 11](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/11) Tied up and unable to join the family at Christmas. ### [Malignity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/iii-malignity) Helped by Mr. Britling to obtain a commission, reflecting the domestic war effort. ### [§ 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/1) Helped by Mr. Britling to obtain his commission. ### [IV: In the Web of the Ineffective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/iv-in-the-web-of-the-ineffective) Mentioned by Hugh in his letter as having joined the O.T.C.; Hugh wishes he had done the same. ### [§ 5](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/5) Visits the Dower House with Letty to say goodbye before going to the front; his manner is quiet and grave, no longer joking. ### [§ 10](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/10) Mentioned by Hugh as someone who went into the O.T.C., contrasting with Hugh's own path. ### [§ 12](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/12) Reported wounded and missing; his fate is the central concern of the chapter. ### [§ 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/13) Mentioned as wounded and missing, causing distress to Mr. Britling and Mrs. Teddy. ### [§ 15](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/15) Mentioned as having suffered a disaster, causing Mr. Britling to wince at the thought of Mrs. Teddy's white face. ### [§ 18](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/18) Reported missing for three weeks; Hugh speculates on his fate and expresses concern for Letty. ### [§ 19](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/19) Mentioned as a prisoner, adding to the sense of loss and sacrifice affecting the household. ### [§ 20](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/20) Mr. Direck resolves to find out about Teddy. ### [Mrs. Teddy Goes for a Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/i-mrs-teddy-goes-for-a-walk) Wants to join Mr. Britling but is stopped by Letty; his fate is being investigated by Mr. Direck. ### [§ 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/1) Letty's husband, missing and presumed killed; his death is the focus of Letty's denial. ### [§ 2](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/2) Teddy's name appears in the casualty list, and his death is the catalyst for Letty's grief and vengeful fantasies. ### [§ 5](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/5) Confirmed dead in Letty's mind; his absence is the focus of her grief. ### [§ 10](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/10) Mentioned as another beloved figure whose death fuels Letty's grief and skepticism. ### [§ 11](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/11) Presumed dead but returns alive as a wounded stranger in foreign clothes; recognized by Letty through his familiar gesture and step. ### [§ 12](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/12) Teddy returns from war with a lost left hand and a bandaged arm, recounting his capture and escape. ### [§ 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/13) Talks with Mr. Direck about the Canadians who relieved the Essex men after his capture. ### [§ 14](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/14) Returns and notices Mr. Britling's aged appearance. ### [§ 4](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/4) Appears in photographs with the family, including one doing the goose step. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters/teddy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/characters