# Arthur Forester — Sylvie and Bruno character guide > Arthur Forester in Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Arthur, Doctor Forester **First appearance:** 0001-volume-i-i-less-bread-more-taxes ## Snapshot A young doctor whose steady cheerfulness and sense of duty carry him from drawing-room courtship into a plague-stricken harbour where death is certain. ## Who they are Arthur is the narrator's friend, Lady Muriel's suitor, and a physician whose calling repeatedly pulls him away from the company he loves. When fishermen summon him to a town where a doctor has already died, he tells Muriel plainly that it means death — yet goes, because he is 'called.' His willingness to marry her at eight the next morning before leaving gives the novel its sharpest image of love braced against duty. He matters because his choices force the other characters to decide what they truly value. ## Relationships ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Arthur is a dear friend and fellow traveler in the story, often sharing philosophical discussions and adventures with the Narrator. ### [Earl of Ainslie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/earl_of_ainslie) _friendship_ Arthur and the Earl of Ainslie are close friends and allies, often collaborating in the story's events. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Arthur is a dear friend and fellow traveler in the story, often sharing philosophical discussions and adventures with the Narrator. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Arthur is a dear friend and fellow traveler in the story, often sharing philosophical discussions and adventures with the Narrator. ### [Earl of Ainslie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/earl_of_ainslie) _friendship_ Arthur and the Earl of Ainslie are close friends and allies, often collaborating in the story's events. ### [Earl of Ainslie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/earl_of_ainslie) _friendship_ Arthur and the Earl of Ainslie are close friends and allies, often collaborating in the story's events. ## In the story ### [II: L'Amie Inconnue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-ii-l-amie-inconnue) The narrator's old friend who wrote the letter inviting him to visit, mentioning Fate and medical concerns. ### [VI: The Magic Locket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-vi-the-magic-locket) Confesses his love for Lady Muriel Orme to the Narrator. ### [VII: The Baron’s Embassy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-vii-the-baron-s-embassy) Revealed to be the actual pianist playing the Sonata Pathetique. ### [A Ride on a Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-viii-a-ride-on-a-lion) Leads the narrator to the Hall and engages in a whimsical discussion about falling houses and relative weight. ### [A Jester and a Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-ix-a-jester-and-a-bear) Present at the lodgings, offering cake and wine to the narrator. ### [A Visit to Dogland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xiii-a-visit-to-dogland) Appears in the waking-world segment, expressing his feelings for Lady Muriel and his plans to leave. ### [Fairy-Sylvie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-fairy-sylvie) Confides in the narrator about his love for Lady Muriel but refuses to declare it, fearing rejection. ### [XVI: A Changed Crocodile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xvi-a-changed-crocodile) Arthur is mentioned as the lovesick young doctor whom the narrator persuades to join the picnic. ### [The Three Badgers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xvii-the-three-badgers) Accompanies Lady Muriel and the narrator to the picnic; discusses art criticism and social conventions. ### [Queer Street, Number Forty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii-queer-street-number-forty) Appears gloomy and despondent at the picnic after Lady Muriel introduces Eric Lindon; engages in a mock-philosophical discussion. ### [How to Make a Phlizz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xix-how-to-make-a-phlizz) Engages in a theological debate with Lady Muriel about self-sacrifice versus reward-based religion. ### [Light Come, Light Go](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xx-light-come-light-go) Arrives before the Narrator, appears displeased by Eric Lindon's presence, and discusses teleology with Lady Muriel and the Earl. ### [An Outlandish Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiii-an-outlandish-watch) Meets the narrator on the road and accompanies him to the Hall. ### [Looking Eastward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxv-looking-eastward) Visits Lady Muriel to offer congratulations despite his heartbreak; discusses Sunday observance and defends prayer against Eric's objections. ### [Bruno's Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-i-bruno-s-lessons) Arthur sends a telegram inviting the narrator to visit, mentioned as still at Elveston. ### [II: Love's Curfew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii-love-s-curfew) Reveals his hopes and fears regarding Lady Muriel after her engagement ended. ### [III: Streaks of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii-streaks-of-dawn) Articulates a detailed argument about idle wealth, charity, and divine duty; hesitates upon seeing Lady Muriel. ### [Willie's Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi-willie-s-wife) Found in a state of ecstatic happiness after Lady Muriel has accepted his love. ### [VIII: In a Shady Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii-in-a-shady-place) Engages in playful banter with Lady Muriel, presents a detailed moral theory about free will and environment, and shows deep concern upon hearing of the fever outbreak. ### [IX: The Farewell-Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-ix-the-farewell-party) Engages in witty debates about music, lunacy, and proposes the 'Experimental Honeymoon' theory to prevent unsuitable marriages. ### [X: Jabbering and Jam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-x-jabbering-and-jam) Critiques the pianist's mechanical performance and discusses the need for wilderness to practice music. ### [XVI: Beyond These Voices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvi-beyond-these-voices) Participates in the discussion about life and the afterlife, offering a philosophical analogy. ### [To the Rescue!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvii-to-the-rescue) Marries Lady Muriel and then leaves to tend the sick in a plague-stricken hamlet, fully aware of the mortal risk. ### [A Newspaper-Cutting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii-a-newspaper-cutting) Dr. Arthur Forester is listed among the martyrs who died in the epidemic, having nobly faced the peril to care for the sick. His body was identified by a New Testament given by his wife. ### [XIX: A Fairy-Duet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xix-a-fairy-duet) Deceased; his memorial cross is the site of Lady Muriel's grief. ### [Life Out of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv-life-out-of-death) Lying ill but recovering; he has been brought back from the brink of death by Eric Lindon. He murmurs a psalm of thanksgiving and is reunited with Lady Muriel. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/arthur_forester - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters