The Turmoil · Character

Dr. Gurney

The Sheridans' blunt old physician, who treats the family's bodies and diagnoses its soul-sickness with the same unsparing, sardonic honesty.

supporting

Also known as Gurney, Dr. Kraft, Ole Doc Gurney, ole Doc Gurney, ole Gurney, Doc Gurney, Ole Gurney, Ole Doc

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in The Turmoil, Dr. Gurney is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Referred to as 'Ole Doc Gurney,' the family physician who diagnosed Bibbs and recommended the sanitarium, dismissed by Sheridan as a 'nutty alarmist.'

In the storyIIOpen this moment free

See Dr. Gurney in II Book page

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

Dr. Gurney is the one man in the Sheridan orbit who refuses to be intimidated by the old man's money or temper, calling Sheridan 'hysterical' to his face while bandaging the hand he bloodied on a statue. He sees what Sheridan cannot: that Bibbs's nervous collapse is real, and that the family's worship of work is its own kind of disease. His gruff, unimpressed presence gives the novel its moral barometer, and his friendship with Bibbs becomes a quiet refuge from the Sheridan storm.

Continue beside the text

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

See Dr. Gurney in i

Character Web

14 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Sheridan Family Circle
Symbolic and Minor Figures
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the narrative climax because Bibbs reaches an emotional and psychological peak by articulat…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

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

II
Referred to as 'Ole Doc Gurney,' the family physician who diagnosed Bibbs and recommended the sanitarium, dismissed by Sheridan as a 'nutty alarmist.'
Chapter IX
Mentioned by Sheridan as having declared Bibbs organically healthy, dismissing physical excuses for his behavior.
XIV
Examines Bibbs and finds him improved; warns that the machine shop may harm him again. Expresses dark humor about the irony of good health leading to a death sentence.
XV
Referenced as the doctor Bibbs visited earlier in the day, providing context for Bibbs's routine.
Chapter XXI
Treats Sheridan's injured hand; notes Bibbs's improved health and contentment with machine work.
XXII
His automobile is parked at Roscoe's house, though Bibbs fails to recognize it in the fog.
XXIII
Attends Sibyl, learns of Bibbs's change, and advises Roscoe to rest, incurring Sheridan's wrath.
XXV
Attends to James Sheridan, trying to calm him and insisting he keep his injured hand in a sling.
XXVI
Treats Sheridan's hand, defends Bibbs's choices, and tries to reason with Sheridan about giving Bibbs a chance.
XXVII
Quoted by Mrs. Sheridan as saying Bibbs could be a bigger businessman than Jim and Roscoe if he wakes up.
XXXI
Gurney removed the bandages from Sheridan's hand and advised on matters concerning Mary Vertrees.
XXXII
Mentioned as the doctor who treated Sheridan's hand and who theorizes that Mary's companionship was key to Bibbs's recovery.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Dr. Gurney in i

See Dr. Gurney in II