# Colonel Leyland — Short Fiction character guide

> Colonel Leyland in Short Fiction by E. M. Forster.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Snapshot

A British colonel abroad whose well-meant questions and misplaced interest keep pressing the Italian boatman Gennaro for explanations he cannot give.

## Who they are

Present among the English visitors during Eustace's strange illness, Leyland intervenes at odd moments, curious where others are indifferent and detached where feeling runs high. He presses Gennaro about what Eustace meant by failing to understand men, drawing out the fisherman's halting attempt to explain. His persistent, slightly obtuse questioning helps expose the cultural and emotional distance between the visitors and the local world.

## Relationships

### [Miss Raby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters/miss_raby)

_friendship_

Colonel Leyland and Miss Raby are friends or companions, with a steady, supportive dynamic.

### [Miss Eliza Dimbleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters/miss_eliza_dimbleby)

_friendship_

Colonel Leyland and Miss Eliza Dimbleby are friends or social companions, likely from the same circle.

### [Miss Eliza Dimbleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters/miss_eliza_dimbleby)

_friendship_

Colonel Leyland and Miss Eliza Dimbleby are friends or social companions, likely from the same circle.

### [Miss Raby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters/miss_raby)

_friendship_

Colonel Leyland and Miss Raby are friends or companions, with a steady, supportive dynamic.

### [Miss Raby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters/miss_raby)

_friendship_

Colonel Leyland and Miss Raby are friends or companions, with a steady, supportive dynamic.

### [Miss Eliza Dimbleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters/miss_eliza_dimbleby)

_friendship_

Colonel Leyland and Miss Eliza Dimbleby are friends or social companions, likely from the same circle.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/chapters/i)

Travels with Miss Raby, observes changes in Vorta, and engages in philosophical banter.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/chapters/ii)

Persuaded Miss Raby to return to Vorta; they have a minor disagreement about religion and the open air.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/chapters/iii)

Witnesses the scene and is scandalized by Miss Raby's frankness, misinterpreting her emotions and feeling degraded by her exposure to a lower class.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters/colonel_leyland
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_13_se/characters