The Last Post · Character

Gunning

A coarse, wealthy neighbor whose gates, horses, and encroachments on the Tietjens land make him the local embodiment of everything the old order is losing to.

supporting

Also known as Even Gunning, Old Gunning, gross Gunning

First appearance: the last post

As a supporting figure in The Last Post, Gunning is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Trims the hedge in the garden; Mark observes his movements and compares him to Shakespeare.

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With Sylvia Tietjens (psychological): Sylvia's manipulative and obsessive lover who enables her destructive schemes while being controlled by her. With Sylvia Tietjens (psychological): Sylvia's manipulative and obsessive lover who enables her destructive schemes while being controlled by her. With Sylvia Tietjens (psychological): Sylvia's manipulative and obsessive lover who enables her destructive schemes while being controlled by her.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Gunning sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Gunning in the last post

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Psychological
Other

Character groups

Tietjens family circle
Minor characters and background figures

+13 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Sylvia’s direct proposal to the general—asking him to marry her if she divorces Christopher—represents the emo…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Sylvia Tietjens
psychological · negative
Sylvia's manipulative and obsessive lover who enables her destructive schemes while being… How this plays out →
Sylvia Tietjens
psychological · negative
Sylvia's manipulative and obsessive lover who enables her destructive schemes while being… How this plays out →
Sylvia Tietjens
psychological · negative
Sylvia's manipulative and obsessive lover who enables her destructive schemes while being… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Gunning in the last post

In the story

Gunning appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Trims the hedge in the garden; Mark observes his movements and compares him to Shakespeare.
II
Hones his blade while Marie Léonie waits; he comments on Christopher's insight.
III
The handyman, seen feeding a sow and representing the peasantry's perspective; he and Cramp agree that the war should have given more power to their class.
V
The land-steward fighting the Agricultural Committees, conversing with Fittleworth about gates.
II
Warns Sylvia against causing harm to Valentine Wannop, recalling his own punishment by Mark Tietjens.
Chapter IV
Gunning is remembered as a squatter living with a wise-woman and her granddaughter, thrashing them weekly, representing sex ferocity.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Gunning in the last post

See Gunning in I