# Major Brill — The Lady of the Barge character guide

> Major Brill in The Lady of the Barge by W. W. Jacobs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Brill, The Major, the disgusted Major, Major Brill

**First appearance:** 0014-a-mixed-proposal

## Snapshot

A retired military man whose sense of dignity is constantly at odds with the indignities of courtship and the company he keeps.

## Who they are

Major Brill carries the bearing of a man accustomed to being obeyed, which makes him an easy target for the quieter humiliations of civilian life. His romantic intentions, however well-meant, tend to land him in awkward and ambiguous situations that his military confidence cannot quite manage. Watching a man of rank navigate the unpredictable terrain of affection and misunderstanding gives the story much of its comic and human weight.

## Relationships

### [Ann Pullen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/characters/ann_pullen)

_romantic_

Ann is the object of Major Brill's persistent but awkward romantic advances.

### [Ann Pullen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/characters/ann_pullen)

_romantic_

Ann is the object of Major Brill's persistent but awkward romantic advances.

### [Ann Pullen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/characters/ann_pullen)

_romantic_

Ann is the object of Major Brill's persistent but awkward romantic advances.

## In the story

### [A Mixed Proposal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/chapters/a-mixed-proposal)

Frustrated by the chess wager, he confesses the scheme to Mrs. Riddel and tries to rekindle her interest.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/characters/major_brill
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/characters