# Dopey McNab — Stover at Yale character guide

> Dopey McNab in Stover at Yale by Owen Johnson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** McNab, Only McNab, Mr. McNab

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Snapshot

Yale's cheerful idler, sprawled on his back blowing smoke rings, vows to chase the best time in life and let the grinds grind.

## Who they are

McNab greets Stover on the train with mock-sophisticated chatter and a chain to put on, then lounges through the house introductions with his legs in the air, declaring he's for a good time, short but a lulu. Hunter predicts he'll be heeling the Record and hiring a tutor within a month, and the joke is that everyone, including McNab, half believes it. He gives the class its comic counterweight to ambition, a reminder of how easily college can slide into pleasure.

## Relationships

### [Dink Stover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/dink_stover)

_friendship_

Dopey McNab is a comedic and loyal friend who provides levity and companionship to Dink Stover.

### [Dink Stover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/dink_stover)

_friendship_

Dopey McNab is a comedic and loyal friend who provides levity and companionship to Dink Stover.

### [Dink Stover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/dink_stover)

_friendship_

Dopey McNab is a comedic and loyal friend who provides levity and companionship to Dink Stover.

## In the story

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

A humorous freshman from Andover, overheard in conversation with Schley about Yale expectations.

### [The Parting of the Ways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/ii)

Stover's roommate, who resists the pressure to 'heel' but is subtly guided by Hunter.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/viii)

Forms a triumvirate with Waters and Kelly, pursuing practical jokes and avoiding academic work.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xii)

Appears with a box of cheap cigars, offering to sell them to his friends; his low price highlights the others' overpayment.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xvi)

Seen briefly singing with Buck Waters, representing the carefree, unreflective side of college life.

### [The Break](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as being put to bed by Stover during their drinking spree.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xxi)

Participates in the late-night session with Wookey, pretending to judge his recitation, and later supports Stover's decision to limit drinking.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/chapters/xxiii)

Bursts into the room with Buck Waters, proposing a sleigh race to the Cheshire Inn.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters/dopey_mcnab
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/stover_at_yale_se/characters