# George Bulmer — The Cords of Vanity character guide

> George Bulmer in The Cords of Vanity by James Branch Cabell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. George Bulmer, Mr. Bulmer, Uncle George

**First appearance:** 0005-i-writing

## Snapshot

Townsend's uncle, a gruff, kind-hearted presence in the narrator's background whose plain decency quietly measures the younger man's evasions.

## Who they are

As Townsend's uncle, George Bulmer belongs to the older, steadier generation against which the narrator's shirking is silently judged. His gruff kindness offers the hero a model of ordinary responsibility that Townsend can neither embrace nor entirely dismiss. Though he stands at the edge of the social comedy, his steadiness sharpens the portrait of a young man who consistently flees every obligation that threatens discomfort.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_rivalry_

George is a rival for romantic attention or social standing, creating tension with the narrator.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_rivalry_

George is a rival for romantic attention or social standing, creating tension with the narrator.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_rivalry_

George is a rival for romantic attention or social standing, creating tension with the narrator.

## In the story

### [I: Writing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i-writing)

Uncle George, who lifts the child to see into the coffin.

### [He Puts His Tongue in His Cheek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ix-he-puts-his-tongue-in-his-cheek)

Uncle George sends news of the narrator's mother's death and her depleted inheritance.

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

Mentioned as the narrator's uncle, a flesh-and-blood kin alongside historical ancestors.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v)

Writes to the narrator about his mother's diminished estate and criticizes his absence.

### [He Decides to Amuse Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xv-he-decides-to-amuse-himself)

The narrator's uncle, who accompanies him to the Green Chalybeate as a sign of forgiveness for not lending money.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v)

The narrator's uncle, who is induced to accompany him to the Green Chalybeate.

### [He Seeks for Copy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xvi-he-seeks-for-copy)

Townsend's uncle, who is skeptical of his nephew's literary pretensions and offers a pragmatic critique. He refuses to lend money and suggests Townsend take a liver pill and go to bed.

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

Uncle George, the narrator's uncle, is skeptical of his nephew's literary plans and offers to lend him money on condition he avoids drinking in Lichfield.

### [He Provides Copy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xvii-he-provides-copy)

Uncle George is summoned to hear the manuscript; he informs the narrator that 'The Imperial Votaress' is identical to his book and was written by Marian Winwood.

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

Uncle George Bulmer left the Green Chalybeate to pursue Mrs. Chaytor.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii)

Uncle George visits the narrator, listens to his novel, and informs him of the striking resemblance to Marian Winwood's book.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters/george_bulmer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters