The Green Hat · Character

Hilary Townshend

The narrator and close friend of Iris, deeply involved in her story.

major

Also known as Hilary

As a major figure in The Green Hat, Hilary Townshend is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as having told Iris about the narrator, and as someone who also felt a sense of incapability with Iris.

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In The Green Hat: Mentioned as having told Iris about the narrator, and as someone who also felt a sense of incapability with Iris. Later, in III: Mentioned as having told Iris about the narrator and as someone who…

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Character Web

7 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Peripheral and minor characters
Central social circle
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak where Iris, isola…

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In the story

Hilary Townshend appears across 18 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Green Hat
Mentioned as having told Iris about the narrator, and as someone who also felt a sense of incapability with Iris.
III
Mentioned as having told Iris about the narrator and as someone who also felt her unique presence.
I
A friend of the narrator and a man of principle who disapproves of Iris's behavior and believes in caste despite his stated liberalism.
I
Mentioned as dining with the narrator at the Café Royal.
III
Hilary is described as helping a Liberal fight a bye-election in Staffordshire, which he loses.
III: For Purity!
The 'man of principle' and 'friend of childhood' who is deeply attached to Iris; reveals details about her past and expresses anger and bewilderment over her life.
I
The narrator is on his way to dinner at Hilary's house in Chesterfield Street.
II
Described as a Liberal MP, stamp collector, and friend of Guy; portrayed as kind, gloomy, and childless, with a deep sense of conduct.
III
Dines with the narrator, expresses conflicted feelings about Iris, recalls her childhood, and discusses modern moral decay.
IV
Debates with the narrator about Iris's character and Boy Fenwick's suicide; defends the conventional moral judgment of Iris.
IV: Aphrodite
Hilary accompanies the narrator and Iris to the Loyalty Club, makes comments about Venice Pollen and Mr. Pollen, and is present during the walk.
I
Dines with the narrator and accompanies him to the Loyalty Club.
II
Present at the Loyalty Club; suggests asking Venice Pollen's father to suppress the news; shows concern for Iris.
I
Mentioned in Iris's letter as having told her about the narrator.
I
Mentioned as one of the two people Iris asked to be treated kindly if they called.
XI: St. George for England!
Mentioned as the narrator's intended dinner companion who was called away to the country.
I
The narrator was to dine with Hilary, but he was called to the country.
III
Arranged the meeting; tries to mediate and reminds Iris of her childhood.

Chapter companion notes

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See Hilary Townshend in the green hat

See Hilary Townshend in The Green Hat