The Mystery of Edwin Drood · Character
Mr. Tartar
A retired naval officer with a sunny disposition and a flower garden, whose quiet kindness to Neville Landless makes him an unexpected ally in a town full of watchers.
supporting
Also known as Tartar, Behold Mr. Tartar
First appearance: xviii a settler in cloisterham
As a supporting figure in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Mr. Tartar is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
A former sailor and old schoolmate of Crisparkle.
Tartar is the retired sailor who lives in the chambers above Neville Landless in London, a man so genial that he offers to extend his flower garden to a stranger's windows. When Grewgious needs a discreet place for Rosa and Helena to meet, Tartar's rooms and his unflappable good nature make him the natural choice. He matters because his simple decency offers Neville a rare friendship and gives the novel's beleaguered characters a safe harbor.
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Character Web
7 connectionsA slice of how Mr. Tartar sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Central Cloisterham Figures
- Protagonist
+2 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The narrative climax occurs here because Crisparkle’s perception of Honeythunder’s “philanthropy” is violently…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Mr. Tartar appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Tartar unlock in the free preview.
See Mr. Tartar in xviii a settler in cloisterham