# Mr. Sympson — Shirley character guide

> Mr. Sympson in Shirley by Charlotte Brontë.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sympson, Whereupon Mr. Sympson, Poor Mr. Sympson

**First appearance:** 0026-xxvii-the-first-bluestocking

## Who they are

Shirley's blustering uncle, a man of rigid convention whose schemes for his niece's marriage collide with her ungovernable will.

## Relationships

### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone)

_social_

Mr. Sympson is Shirley's uncle and guardian, and Caroline interacts with him politely but without warmth.

### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone)

_social_

Mr. Sympson is Shirley's uncle and guardian, and Caroline interacts with him politely but without warmth.

### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone)

_social_

Mr. Sympson is Shirley's uncle and guardian, and Caroline interacts with him politely but without warmth.

## In the story

### [Two Lives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxii-two-lives)

Uncle who arrives with his family to visit Shirley, leading to a social invasion at Fieldhead.

### [The First Bluestocking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxvii-the-first-bluestocking)

Attempts to force Shirley to marry Samuel Wynne, but is rebuffed. Later, he eagerly anticipates a match with Sir Philip Nunnely.

### [Uncle and Niece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxi-uncle-and-niece)

Confronts Shirley about her refusal of Sir Philip and tries to force her to reveal her romantic intentions.

### [Written in the Schoolroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxvi-written-in-the-schoolroom)

Quarreled with Shirley about Sir Philip Nunnely; later reconciled and stayed at Fieldhead.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/mr_sympson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters