# Whelpdale — New Grub Street character guide

> Whelpdale in New Grub Street by George Gissing.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Whelpdale, ass Whelpdale

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-the-practical-friend

## Snapshot

A garrulous, luckless suitor turned successful publisher, he weeps with joy at marrying Dora Milvain while marveling that better men starved.

## Who they are

Whelpdale begins as a struggling hack whom Jasper Milvain dismisses as borné, yet his persistence in courtship and commerce eventually wins him Dora's hand and a prosperous publishing house. His tearful exultation on the eve of marriage—grateful, incredulous, and comically voluble—contrasts starkly with the fates of Reardon and Biffen, whose talents outshone his but whose practicality did not. He embodies the novel's uncomfortable thesis that success rewards ingenuity and perseverance rather than merit, and his rise from Albany Street garret to Earl's Court respectability traces one possible ending for the literary aspirant.

## In the story

### [Work Without Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xii-work-without-hope)

Mentioned as having set up as a 'literary adviser' despite his own failures.

### [Rejection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xvi-rejection)

Announces his engagement to a young woman he met through his literary business, but receives a troubling letter from her.

### [XX: The End of Waiting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xx-the-end-of-waiting)

Visits Jasper and Dora, discusses his manual's sales and Biffen's novel.

### [XXII: The Legatees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xxii-the-legatees)

Discusses love and marriage with Jasper, revealing his sentimental and romantic nature. He recounts his past romantic experiences and expresses hope for a higher type of woman in the future.

### [Interim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xxviii-interim)

Visits Jasper's gathering, tells stories of his hardships in America, and shows romantic interest in Dora.

### [XXXIII: The Sunny Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-sunny-way)

Visits Jasper and Dora; praises Dora's story; discusses literary agency and a project for 'Chat'; shows concern about continuing visits after Maud's marriage.

### [A Check](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-check)

Transforms Chat into Chit-Chat, achieves great success, and secures a position as editor with a salary of £250 per year.

### [Fever and Rest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xxxv-fever-and-rest)

Meets Biffen on the street and excitedly tells him about proposing to Dora Milvain; Biffen abruptly leaves him.

### [XXXVII: Rewards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xxxvii-rewards)

Marries Dora Milvain; is frantic with exultation and reflects on the contrast between his happiness and the fates of Biffen and Reardon.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/characters/whelpdale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_grub_street_se/characters