# The Stranger — On a Chinese Screen character guide > The Stranger in On a Chinese Screen by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** stranger **First appearance:** 0038-xxxv-the-stranger ## Who they are A mysterious figure encountered in a chapter. ## Relationships ### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_doctor) _friendship_ The Doctor shows curiosity and kindness toward the Stranger, engaging in philosophical conversations and offering medical advice. ### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_doctor) _friendship_ The Doctor shows curiosity and kindness toward the Stranger, engaging in philosophical conversations and offering medical advice. ## In the story ### [IV: The Rolling Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/iv-the-rolling-stone) The rolling stone whose life story is recounted; a small, frail, sunburned man with unremarkable appearance and a vast collection of travel experiences. ### [XVI: The Nun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xvi-the-nun) The narrator who visits the convent and converses with the Mother Superior. ### [XXIII: God's Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxiii-god-s-truth) A missionary who refuses to associate with Birch due to his involvement in the tobacco trade. ### [XXIV: Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxiv-romance) The narrator is the central consciousness of the chapter, reflecting on his experiences and the elusive nature of romance. ### [XXVII: Sullivan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxvii-sullivan) The Irish sailor, Sullivan, who deserted his ship and walked across China, later became a tide-waiter. ### [XXXI: The Stripling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxi-the-stripling) The stripling is introduced as a seventeen-year-old youth walking along the causeway, seeking his fortune in the city. ### [XXXIV: Mirage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxiv-mirage) The tall American man with bulging sky blue eyes and an embarrassed manner, in charge of the B.A.T., who lives in a combined office, godown, and residence, preferring his bedroom and American magazines. ### [The Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxv-the-stranger) A mysterious stranger who asked about the missions and, when asked his name, replied 'I am Christ.' ### [XXXVI: Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxvi-democracy) The narrator, who reflects on the events at the inn and the nature of democracy. ### [XXXVII: The Seventh Day Adventist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-seventh-day-adventist) The Seventh Day Adventist missionary, a large man in a blue suit with an American flag, traveling up the Yangtze for the first time, indifferent to his surroundings. ### [XXXVIII: The Philosopher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-philosopher) The narrator himself, who seeks out the philosopher and engages in conversation. ### [XXXIX: The Missionary Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xxxix-the-missionary-lady) The narrator, who engages in a conversation of platitudes with the missionary lady. ### [A Game of Billiards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xl-a-game-of-billiards) A long, thin, red-faced man over fifty who invites the narrator to play billiards, remains silent during the game, and then asks a sudden question about fate. ### [XLII: The Sights of Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xlii-the-sights-of-town) The narrator, who explores the baby tower and orphanage, reflecting on the sights with a mix of detachment and empathy. ### [The Old Timer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xlv-the-old-timer) Not directly present; the old timer is the central figure. ### [XLVIII: A Student of the Drama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/xlviii-a-student-of-the-drama) The narrator, who hosts the professor and engages in a dialogue about drama and literature. ### [L: Metempsychosis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/l-metempsychosis) The narrator observes the old gentleman and reflects on his past life as a philosopher. ### [LIV: The Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/liv-the-question) The narrator is taken to the temple by unnamed locals; the stranger figure is implied as the observer asking about spiritual meaning. ### [LV: The Sinologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/lv-the-sinologue) The narrator and observer of the sinologue, reflecting on his life and character. ### [LVII: A City Built on a Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/chapters/lvii-a-city-built-on-a-rock) The narrator, a foreign observer, experiences the city's overwhelming sensory assault and reflects on the cultural divide. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters/the_stranger - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_chinese_screen_se/characters