# Cutler Walpole — The Doctor’s Dilemma character guide

> Cutler Walpole in The Doctor’s Dilemma by George Bernard Shaw.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Cutler Walpole, Mr. Walpole, Walpole, Cutler, Cutler Walpole, Walpole Swiftly, Walpole Sinking, Walpole Rising, Walpole Hallo, Walpole Whew, Walpole Rot, Walpole Ten, Walpole Well

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i

## Snapshot

A fashionable surgeon who blames nearly every ailment on a 'nuciform sac' and is happy to cut it out, he lends money as readily as he wields the knife.

## Who they are

Cutler Walpole is a prosperous, self-assured surgeon whose pet theory is that a nuciform sac causes most disease and should be surgically removed. He lends Dubedat twenty pounds on the strength of the artist's charming talk about dressing his wife prettily, only to discover he was not the only doctor so touched. His rivalry with Bloomfield Bonington over Jennifer's attentions, and his blunt contempt for journalists, mark him as a man of action with more confidence than reflection.

## Relationships

### [Louis Dubedat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se/characters/louis_dubedat)

_rivalry_

Walpole is a rival surgeon who dismisses Louis as a fraud and competes with Ridgeon over the treatment and moral judgment of Louis.

### [Sir Patrick Cullen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se/characters/sir_patrick_cullen)

_professional_

They are fellow doctors who share a pragmatic, often cynical view of medical ethics and of Louis Dubedat.

### [Sir Colenso Ridgeon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se/characters/sir_colenso_ridgeon)

_professional_

They are colleagues in the medical profession, with Walpole often acting as a blunt, competitive foil to Ridgeon's more idealistic approach.

### [Emmy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se/characters/emmy)

_social_

Walpole and Emmy have a cordial, bantering relationship as frequent visitors and staff in Ridgeon's home.

### [Schutzmacher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se/characters/schutzmacher)

_professional_

They are medical colleagues who share a pragmatic, sometimes cynical view of their profession and patients.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se/characters/cutler_walpole
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_doctor_s_dilemma_se/characters