# Johnson — The History of Mr. Polly character guide > Johnson in The History of Mr. Polly by H. G. Wells. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Johnson **First appearance:** 0037-vii-the-little-shop-at-fishbourne ## Snapshot A steady, successful gardener and neighbor in Fishbourne, particularly good with celery and peas, who is quietly sent into the garden with Mr. Polly on the day of the cousins' visit. ## Who they are Mr. Johnson is the kind of neighbor who walks slowly down the garden path explaining the management of peas, wrinkles neatly applied and difficulties wisely overcome. He is decent, unremarkable, and entirely at home in the small world Mr. Polly cannot settle into, which is precisely what makes him useful to the story. His patient gardening talk is the ordinary life Mr. Polly is failing to live, set beside him in the same narrow strip of garden. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly) _friendship_ Johnson is a loyal friend and fellow shop assistant who shares Mr. Polly's discontent with their mundane lives. ### [Uncle Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/uncle_jim) _rivalry_ Johnson and Uncle Jim are antagonists, with Johnson often defending Mr. Polly against Uncle Jim's bullying. ### [Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/miriam) _social_ Johnson is a sympathetic acquaintance of Miriam, often caught in the middle of her marital conflicts with Mr. Polly. ### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly) _friendship_ Johnson is a loyal friend and fellow shop assistant who shares Mr. Polly's discontent with their mundane lives. ### [Mr. Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/mr_polly) _friendship_ Johnson is a loyal friend and fellow shop assistant who shares Mr. Polly's discontent with their mundane lives. ### [Uncle Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/uncle_jim) _rivalry_ Johnson and Uncle Jim are antagonists, with Johnson often defending Mr. Polly against Uncle Jim's bullying. ### [Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/miriam) _social_ Johnson is a sympathetic acquaintance of Miriam, often caught in the middle of her marital conflicts with Mr. Polly. ### [Uncle Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/uncle_jim) _rivalry_ Johnson and Uncle Jim are antagonists, with Johnson often defending Mr. Polly against Uncle Jim's bullying. ### [Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/miriam) _social_ Johnson is a sympathetic acquaintance of Miriam, often caught in the middle of her marital conflicts with Mr. Polly. ## In the story ### [Mr. Polly an Orphan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv-mr-polly-an-orphan) Mr. Polly's cousin who solemnly receives him and manages the funeral arrangements. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Mr. Polly's cousin, a practical and solemn ticket clerk who helps arrange the funeral. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii) Advises Mr. Polly on investing his inheritance and suggests the possibility of opening a small shop, using Mr. Rymer as an example of success. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii) Mrs. Johnson's husband, who accompanies Mr. Polly in the garden and later helps with guests. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v) Carves the meat at the funeral meal and tries to maintain harmony among the guests. ### [Mr. Polly Takes a Vacation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v-mr-polly-takes-a-vacation) Hosts Mr. Polly at his home, advises him on finding a situation, and discusses business prospects. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i) Mr. Polly travels to Johnson's home in Easewood, where Mrs. Johnson awaits him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii) Johnson approves Mr. Polly's plan to look around, provides lodging, and advises him to get a book on bookkeeping. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv) Sits up waiting for Mr. Polly, reads Purchas His Pilgrimes, and questions him about the evening. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v) Anxious to get Mr. Polly into a shop; engages in grave but evasive discussions about openings. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as observing that Mr. Polly doesn't take a serious interest in anything, including the shop at the corner. ### [VI: Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vi-miriam) Helps Mr. Polly calculate the costs of setting up a shop, emphasizing the economic trap. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii) Patiently advises Mr. Polly on the shop figures and expresses surprise at his sudden decisions. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv) The best man, who assists Mr. Polly with the ring and offers whispered commentary. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v) Seeks sanctuary in the church doorway and later battles with boys to protect the Larkins family. ### [The Wedding Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vi) A guest who expresses doubt about Mr. Polly's marriage in a confidential undertone. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/johnson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters