Nonsense Books · Character

Mr. Lear

A big-nosed, runcible-hatted Englishman who turns his own oddities into verse, weeping by oceans and keeping a cat named Old Foss.

major

Also known as Edward Lear, Lear, Mr. Edward Lear

First appearance: How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!

As a major figure in Nonsense Books, Mr. Lear is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The subject of the poem, depicted as a whimsical, eccentric figure with a big nose, spherical body, and a fondness for Marsala.

In the storyHow Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!Open this moment free

See Mr. Lear in How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!Book page

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Lear is the book's presiding spirit and its most unreliable narrator: a self-described spherical man with a hideous visage, a wig-like beard, and a fondness for Marsala that never tips him. Some find him ill-tempered…

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

See Mr. Lear in How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!

Character Web

20 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Author and dedicatee
Protagonist
Nonsense animal groups

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Lady Jingly’s tearful confession that she already has a mate in England delivers the emotional peak of unfulfi…

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Relationships

Lord Derby
professional · positive
Lord Derby was a patron and employer of Mr. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Mr. Lear in How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!

In the story

Mr. Lear appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!
The subject of the poem, depicted as a whimsical, eccentric figure with a big nose, spherical body, and a fondness for Marsala.
Nonsense Books
The author and narrator of the nonsense tales.
A Book of Nonsense
The Old Derry down Derry is a playful self-reference to Edward Lear, the author and illustrator.
Dedication
The author and dedicatee of the book.
Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets
Author and central figure of the collection
More Nonsense Pictures, Rhymes, Botany, etc.
Author and illustrator of the book; recounts the history of his nonsense works and refutes rumors about their authorship.
The New Vestments
Narrator of the absurd tale

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Lear unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Lear in How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!