# Arthur Burton — The Gadfly character guide

> Arthur Burton in The Gadfly by Ethel Voynich.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Arthur, Burton, IV Arthur, Arthur Burton, a Burton, VI Arthur

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-i

## Snapshot

A devout, sensitive student of philosophy whose arrest turns a household's contempt on him and sets him on the road to revolution.

## Who they are

Arthur lives on the edges of the Burton family, tolerated by his half-brothers and loathed by Julia, who calls him 'that Popish woman's child' as the gendarmes search his room. He meets the raid with eerie serenity, having burned anything compromising, and answers Thomas's awkward apology with a face 'as serene as a summer morning.' His guileless piety and his secret Young Italy verses sit side by side—the fault line along which his life will split.

## Relationships

### [Canon Montanelli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/canon_montanelli)

_family_

Arthur idolizes Montanelli as a father figure before discovering he is his biological father, leading to intense emotional turmoil.

### [James Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/james_burton)

_family_

James is Arthur's abusive and resentful older brother, creating a hostile family environment.

### [Gemma Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/gemma_warren)

_romantic_

Arthur and Gemma share a youthful, idealistic romance that is shattered by betrayal and misunderstanding.

### [Padre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/padre)

_family_

Padre is the affectionate nickname Arthur uses for Montanelli before learning he is his father, representing a pure filial bond.

### [Colonel Ferrari](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/colonel_ferrari)

_rivalry_

Colonel Ferrari interrogates and torments Arthur, representing the oppressive church-state apparatus.

### [Julia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/julia)

_family_

Julia is Arthur's sister-in-law, who treats him with cold disdain and contributes to his family misery.

### [Giovanni Bolla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/giovanni_bolla)

_friendship_

Giovanni Bolla is a fellow student and early revolutionary companion of Arthur, representing his youthful idealism.

### [Canon Montanelli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/canon_montanelli)

_family_

Arthur idolizes Montanelli as a father figure before discovering he is his biological father, leading to intense emotional turmoil.

### [Padre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/padre)

_family_

Padre is the affectionate nickname Arthur uses for Montanelli before learning he is his father, representing a pure filial bond.

### [Padre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/padre)

_family_

Padre is the affectionate nickname Arthur uses for Montanelli before learning he is his father, representing a pure filial bond.

### [Gemma Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/gemma_warren)

_romantic_

Arthur and Gemma share a youthful, idealistic romance that is shattered by betrayal and misunderstanding.

### [Gemma Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/gemma_warren)

_romantic_

Arthur and Gemma share a youthful, idealistic romance that is shattered by betrayal and misunderstanding.

## In the story

### [Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/the-gadfly)

Introduced as a young, devout student at the seminary, deeply attached to Montanelli and beginning to engage with revolutionary ideas.

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

A slender, delicate English lad studying philosophy; grieving his mother's death and experiencing a religious call to dedicate his life to Italy's liberation.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Arthur is excited about the Alpine trip, deeply sensitive to nature, and shows a mystical, almost religious awe of the mountains. He is unaware of Montanelli's inner turmoil and remains absorbed in his own discoveries.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-iii)

Studies hard, visits Montanelli, becomes enthusiastic about Young Italy, attends lecture with Gemma, and discusses political ideals.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Struggles with jealousy and confesses to Father Cardi; prepares for Easter communion.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-v)

Arrested for political activities; remains calm and faithful during the search and arrest.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-vi)

Imprisoned and interrogated; experiences physical and psychological strain; released and confesses his betrayal to Gemma.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-vii)

Arthur learns the truth about his parentage and experiences a profound crisis of identity and faith, ultimately deciding to fake his death and flee.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-iv)

Arthur appears in Montanelli's nightmare, rising from the sea and claiming ownership of it.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-vi)

Reveals his identity to Montanelli, recounting his years of torment and his enduring love.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/arthur_burton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters