Persuasion · Character
Captain Harville
A lame, warm-hearted naval officer whose cramped Lyme lodgings are made homely by the treasures and contrivances of a life at sea.
supporting
Also known as Harville, Captain, Poor Harville
First appearance: xii
As a supporting figure in Persuasion, Captain Harville is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Settled at Lyme for the winter; visits the party in the evening with Captain Benwick.
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Captain Harville, invalided out of active service, has turned a lodging-house into a snug domestic world for his wife and children, filling it with rare woods and curiosities from distant ports. His hospitality draws…
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See Captain Harville in xiiCharacter Web
3 connectionsA slice of how Captain Harville sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Extended Society and Backstory Figures
- Kellynch and Uppercross Circle
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when the long-standing social and personal barrie…
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Captain Harville appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See Captain Harville in xii