# The Doctor — On a Chinese Screen character guide

> The Doctor in On a Chinese Screen by W. Somerset Maugham.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** doctor, The doctor—he

**First appearance:** 0024-xxi-dr-macalister

## Who they are

A medical doctor, possibly the same as Dr. Macalister or a separate figure.

## Relationships

### [The Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_stranger)

_friendship_

The Doctor shows curiosity and kindness toward the Stranger, engaging in philosophical conversations and offering medical advice.

### [The Taipan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_taipan)

_rivalry_

The Doctor and the Taipan are often at odds, representing contrasting worldviews—medical humanitarianism versus commercial pragmatism.

### [Dr. Saunders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/dr_saunders)

_professional_

Dr. Saunders and the Doctor are medical colleagues who share professional respect and occasional consultations.

### [Dr. Macalister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/dr_macalister)

_friendship_

Dr. Macalister and the Doctor are friends who share medical interests and personal confidences in the expatriate community.

### [Miss Lambert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/miss_lambert)

_social_

Miss Lambert and the Doctor are acquaintances who meet at social functions, with polite but distant exchanges.

### [The Sea-Dog Captains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_sea_dog_captains)

_social_

The Doctor engages with the Sea-Dog Captains as a fellow traveler and observer, sharing stories and drinks in portside taverns.

### [The Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_stranger)

_friendship_

The Doctor shows curiosity and kindness toward the Stranger, engaging in philosophical conversations and offering medical advice.

### [Dr. Saunders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/dr_saunders)

_professional_

Dr. Saunders and the Doctor are medical colleagues who share professional respect and occasional consultations.

## In the story

### [VIII: The Servants of God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/viii-the-servants-of-god)

The elderly French missionary, nearly eighty, with flashing eyes and a commanding presence, who has spent fifty years in China and thrice fled attacks on his mission.

### [XXV: The Grand Style](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxv-the-grand-style)

An elderly Irish doctor, over eighty, who came to China fifty-seven years ago as a ship's doctor. He is tall, thin, with bright blue eyes and a deep voice, now serving as vice-consul in a small anchorage. He embodies old-world gentlemanliness, classical education, and a grand style.

### [The Old Timer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xlv-the-old-timer)

Not directly present; the old timer's narrative does not involve the doctor.

### [LI: The Fragment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/li-the-fragment)

A little bald French doctor, collector of porcelain, bronze, and embroidery, who shows the narrator the Greek fragment.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_doctor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters