The History of Mr. Polly · Character

Parsons

One of the Three Ps, a plump, curly-haired apprentice with a great memory and a real love of literature, who recites Shakespeare at the slightest provocation.

supporting

Also known as old Parsons, the gallant Parsons, the enthusiastic Parsons

First appearance: I: Beginnings, and the Bazaar

As a supporting figure in The History of Mr. Polly, Parsons is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

One of the 'Three Ps' at Port Burdock Bazaar; a friend with a love for literature and recitation.

In the storyI: Beginnings, and the BazaarOpen this moment free

Parsons is Mr. Polly's fellow apprentice in the drapery shop, a bellowing, enthusiastic young man who knows Milton and Shakespeare by heart and reads aloud whether anyone wants him to or not. Through him Mr. Polly gets his first taste of Verona and of a life larger than the counter, and the friendship of the Three Ps is one of the few warm things in his youth. Parsons matters because he shows what Mr. Polly might have been with a little more encouragement and a little less circumstance.

See Parsons in I: Beginnings, and the Bazaar Book page

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Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Parsons sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Workplace Colleagues
Protagonist
Early Life Acquaintances

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Mr. Polly reaches his emotional and psychological peak here by embracing suicide as a liberating act, experien…

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Relationships

Mr. Polly
friendship · positive
Parsons is a free-spirited and intellectual friend from Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Garvace
professional · negative
Platt
friendship · positive
Mr. Polly
friendship · positive
Parsons is a free-spirited and intellectual friend from Mr. How this plays out →
Platt
friendship · positive
Mr. Polly
friendship · positive
Parsons is a free-spirited and intellectual friend from Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Garvace
professional · negative
Mr. Garvace
professional · negative

Mr. Polly
Parsons is a free-spirited and intellectual friend from Mr. Polly's youth who inspires his romantic idealism.
Mr. Garvace
Mr. Garvace is a stern employer who dismisses Parsons for his unconventional and rebellious behavior.
Platt
Parsons and Platt are close friends and former colleagues who share a bond of intellectual and rebellious camaraderie.
Mr. Polly
Parsons is a free-spirited and intellectual friend from Mr. Polly's youth who inspires his romantic idealism.
Platt
Parsons and Platt are close friends and former colleagues who share a bond of intellectual and rebellious camaraderie.
Mr. Polly
Parsons is a free-spirited and intellectual friend from Mr. Polly's youth who inspires his romantic idealism.
Mr. Garvace
Mr. Garvace is a stern employer who dismisses Parsons for his unconventional and rebellious behavior.
Mr. Garvace
Mr. Garvace is a stern employer who dismisses Parsons for his unconventional and rebellious behavior.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Parsons in I: Beginnings, and the Bazaar

In the story

Parsons appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: Beginnings, and the Bazaar
One of the 'Three Ps' at Port Burdock Bazaar; a friend with a love for literature and recitation.
III
Fellow apprentice and member of the Three Ps, enthusiastic about literature, recites Shakespeare and Milton, introduces Mr. Polly to Bocaccio and Rabelais.
IV
The gallant and enthusiastic leader of the Three Ps, who expounded on the Joy de Vive and led their adventures.
V
Referenced as a more picturesque youth with a rich voice, given to enthusiastic readings of Carlyle.
The Dismissal of Parsons
The enthusiastic window dresser who is dismissed after a violent confrontation with Mr. Garvace over his unconventional display.
I
Gets himself dismissed after a violent incident related to his window dressing theories.
II
The enthusiastic window dresser who defies Mr. Garvace and attacks him and Morrison.
III
Dismissed after assaulting Mr. Garvace; heroically packs his box and is bound over in court, then vanishes without saying goodbye.
III: Cribs
Former friend who has left Port Burdock for London; his letters reveal new socialist interests that alienate Mr. Polly.
I
Has left Port Burdock for London; his letters show new interests in socialism, which alienate Mr. Polly.
II
Mentioned as a richly satisfying friend from Mr. Polly's past, contrasted with his current loneliness.
I
Mr. Polly considers hunting him up for a holiday, but Parsons has left his position without a forwarding address.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Parsons unlock in the free preview.

See Parsons in I: Beginnings, and the Bazaar