# John Smith — Short Fiction character guide

> John Smith in Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Smith, Smith, Mr. John Smith, “ Smith, Master John, John

**First appearance:** 0006-john-bull-on-the-guadalquivir

## Who they are

A common name used for a character in a humorous tale.

## In the story

### [A Ride Across Palestine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/a-ride-across-palestine)

A young man met by the narrator in Jerusalem; later revealed to be Miss Julia Weston in disguise.

### [I: Mary Tomkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-i-i-mary-tomkins)

John Thomas, a clerk in the post-office, is in love with Mary Tomkins and frustrated by her refusals.

### [II: The First Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-i-ii-the-first-kiss)

Johnny Thomas, who sits with his arm around Mary's waist after office hours.

### [III: Anastasia Fitzapplejohn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-i-iii-anastasia-fitzapplejohn)

Denies Anastasia's claims and tries to explain himself to Mary.

### [That Sobered Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-ii-i-that-sobered-him)

John Thomas, inebriated, proposes to Mary and is sobered by her steadfast refusals, vowing to take the pledge.

### [III: Squire Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii-squire-robinson)

Johnny Thomas is one of Mary's suitors, described as a sprightly fellow.

### [II: The New Postmaster-General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-iii-ii-the-new-postmaster-general)

John Thomas, now Lord Thomas, is gazetted postmaster-general and proposes to Mary Tomkins.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/john_smith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters