Passages from the Life of a Philosopher · Character
Smooth
Turnstile's colleague for Shoreditch and a Cabinet schemer, Smooth damns him with faint praise—'I wish to support him; but'—while steering the Manufactures post toward MacLeech.
supporting
Also known as Smooth, Mr. Smooth, Shift ; Smooth
First appearance: xxii scene from a new afterpiece called politics and poetry or the decline of science
As a supporting figure in Passages from the Life of a Philosopher, Smooth is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
A colonial secretary and political rival who undermines Turnstile by courting Tripes and MacLeech.
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In Act I: A colonial secretary and political rival who undermines Turnstile by courting Tripes and MacLeech. Later, in Act II: A Whig minister and colleague of Turnstile at Shoreditch who undermines him and supports…
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The fuller portrait of Smooth sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Smooth in xxii scene from a new afterpiece called politics and poetry or the decline of scienceCharacter Web
14 connectionsA slice of how Smooth sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- Satirical play characters
- Scientific contemporaries and acquaintances
+9 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the dramatic climax because it represents the peak of Babbage's intellectual and emotional…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Mr. Turnstile
professional · ambivalent
- Mr. Tripes
professional · ambivalent
- Lord Flumm
professional · ambivalent
- MacLeech
rivalry · negative
- Mr. Turnstile
professional · ambivalent
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Smooth in xxii scene from a new afterpiece called politics and poetry or the decline of scienceIn the story
Smooth appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Smooth unlock in the free preview.
See Smooth in xxii scene from a new afterpiece called politics and poetry or the decline of science