# The Officer — On a Chinese Screen character guide

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

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** officer

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-my-lady-s-parlour

## Who they are

A military or police officer encountered in the narrative.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

The Consul and the Officer coordinate on matters of colonial security and protocol, maintaining a formal but cooperative relationship.

### [Mr. Wingrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/mr_wingrove)

_social_

Mr. Wingrove and the Officer share a casual acquaintance, meeting at colonial social events and clubs.

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

_professional_

The Judge and the Officer work together on legal and disciplinary cases involving sailors and colonial residents.

### [Captain Boots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/captain_boots)

_professional_

Captain Boots and the Officer interact regarding port security and the conduct of merchant seamen.

## In the story

### [XIII: Her Britannic Majesty’s Representative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xiii-her-britannic-majesty-s-representative)

Commands the firing squad; rudely dismisses the consul's protest but ultimately yields the prisoners.

### [XXXVI: Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxvi-democracy)

The stout Chinese official who initially storms about the inn but later chats amicably with a coolie.

### [LIII: The Sea-Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/liii-the-sea-dog)

Commands the soldiers who fire on the ship as Captain Boots defies them and departs.

### [The Vice-Consul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/lvi-the-vice-consul)

Commands the firing squad and finishes off the wounded criminal with his revolver.

## Links

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