The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane · Character

George Allen

A Cowfold householder whose shelves hold Byron and whose veins carry the Revolution, making him a questionable member of the flock the Broads cannot quite denounce.

major

Also known as Mr. Allen, the Serpent George Allen, Mrs. George, George, Allen

First appearance: The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane

As a major figure in The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane, George Allen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Excommunicated from the Tanner's Lane congregation, central figure in the chapter's conflict.

In the storyThe Revolution in Tanner’s LaneOpen this moment free

George Allen belongs to Tanner's Lane on Sundays but to a more dangerous current the rest of the week, his household steeped in Zachariah's letters and the politics of the age. The Broads feel the cross in him — nothing heretical can be proved, yet Mr. Broad hates him with an intensity out of proportion to any fault. He anchors the novel's central friction: respectable Dissent versus the revolutionary leaven seeping into it.

See George Allen in The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

28 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Family
Friendship

Character groups

Protagonist
Revolutionary Core & Family

+23 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

The "Endnotes" chapter serves as the story's dramatic climax because it presents a direct, intertextual call t…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Thomas Broad
rivalry · negative
George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over… How this plays out →
Priscilla Broad
family · ambivalent
Zachariah Coleman
friendship · positive
Pauline
friendship · positive
Major Maitland
rivalry · negative
Brother Allen
family · positive
Thomas Broad
rivalry · negative
George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over… How this plays out →
Thomas Broad
rivalry · negative
George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over… How this plays out →
Priscilla Broad
family · ambivalent
Major Maitland
rivalry · negative
Priscilla Broad
family · ambivalent
Zachariah Coleman
friendship · positive

Thomas Broad
George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over religious and social ideals.
Priscilla Broad
George Allen is Priscilla Broad's husband, and their relationship is strained by his political obsessions.
Zachariah Coleman
George Allen and Zachariah Coleman are close allies and fellow revolutionaries, bound by shared ideals.
Pauline
George Allen and Pauline are fellow revolutionaries and friends, though their relationship is complicated by other loyalties.
Major Maitland
George Allen and Major Maitland are direct opponents in the revolutionary conflict, with deep personal animosity.
Brother Allen
Brother Allen is George Allen's sibling, and they share a bond of mutual support despite differing temperaments.
Thomas Broad
George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over religious and social ideals.
Thomas Broad
George Allen and Thomas Broad are political and personal antagonists, clashing over religious and social ideals.
Priscilla Broad
George Allen is Priscilla Broad's husband, and their relationship is strained by his political obsessions.
Major Maitland
George Allen and Major Maitland are direct opponents in the revolutionary conflict, with deep personal animosity.
Priscilla Broad
George Allen is Priscilla Broad's husband, and their relationship is strained by his political obsessions.
Zachariah Coleman
George Allen and Zachariah Coleman are close allies and fellow revolutionaries, bound by shared ideals.

Relationship notes

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

See George Allen in The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane

In the story

George Allen appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane
Excommunicated from the Tanner's Lane congregation, central figure in the chapter's conflict.
XVII: When Wilt Thou Arise Out of Thy Sleep? Yet a Little Sleep
Fanny's brother, a newly admitted church member who has not yet prayed at the prayer-meeting; the Broads plan to ask him to engage to divert attention.
A Religious Picnic
George is a hearty, sandy-haired young ironmonger's son who flirts with Priscilla Broad during the picnic. He is practical, hardworking, and takes charge when needed.
XXI: The Wisdom of the Serpent
Languishes in love with Priscilla Broad; his suit is the central subject of the chapter.
XXII: The Oracle Warns—After the Event
Marries Priscilla, struggles to explain Free Trade to her, experiences a sleepless night of distress, and handles the flooding crisis.
XXIII: Further Development
Frustrated by his wife's inattention and his father-in-law's refusal to vote, he is deeply involved in the county election campaign for the Whigs.
XXIV: “I Came Not to Send Peace, but a Sword”
Visits the Colemans, feels a personal connection to Mr. Bradshaw's sermon, and is troubled by his own history and feelings for Priscilla.
XXV: “And a Man’s Foes Shall Be They of His Own Household”
Barred from the Broad house after the riots; wanders the countryside; writes to Priscilla to return home; is with her when she dies.
XXVI: A Professional Consultation
Grieving his wife, tormented by guilt and doubt, furious at the mention of Pauline in church proceedings.
Mr. Broad's Last Church Meeting—Latimer Chapel
Present at the back of the room with his father; accused of abetting an unruly mob during the political contest; later emigrates to America with his child.

Chapter companion notes

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

See George Allen in The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane