# Jonathan Brockett — The Well of Loneliness character guide > Jonathan Brockett in The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Brockett, the chattering Brockett **First appearance:** 0052-i ## Snapshot A successful playwright whose cordial letters and glittering London engagements make him a fair-weather friend to Stephen in her Parisian solitude. ## Who they are Brockett moves through Parisian and London society with an easy brilliance, gathering shekels from his plays and dropping affectionate notes when convenient. His charm is real but conditional: when Stephen no longer fits his affluent scheme of existence, he simply stays away, leaving her and Puddle to their isolated life. He matters because his casual, knowing welcome into Valérie Seymour's circle is what first shows Stephen that a world exists where her nature need not be disguised. ## Relationships ### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon) _friendship_ Jonathan is Stephen's witty, loyal friend and fellow invert, who introduces her to Parisian queer society. ### [Puddle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/puddle) _friendship_ Jonathan and Puddle share a mutual care for Stephen and become allies in supporting her. ### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon) _friendship_ Jonathan is Stephen's witty, loyal friend and fellow invert, who introduces her to Parisian queer society. ### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon) _friendship_ Jonathan is Stephen's witty, loyal friend and fellow invert, who introduces her to Parisian queer society. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) A playwright who renews his acquaintance with Stephen; displays sharp, inquisitive manners and shows unexpected empathy upon learning of Raftery's death. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Brockett arrives late, laden with food parcels, and behaves in a foolish, aggressive mood, dressing up in the maid's cap and apron. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Eats heartily, delivers a frank assessment of Stephen's literary decline, and advises her to travel abroad. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as having left after a queer revelation; his moods are described as kaleidoscopic. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Stephen recalls Brockett's suggestion to leave England and reflects on his clever, spying nature. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Recommended the hotel; arranges flowers and cigarettes; visits from London; takes Stephen and Puddle to lunch at Versailles; praises Paris ardently; tries to get Stephen to confide about love; becomes irritable over the bill but leaves a large tip. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Acts as a skilled and imaginative guide, using the history of Versailles to subtly address themes of hidden love and pretense, and watches Stephen's reactions closely. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Brockett is fascinated by Stephen's abnormality and wishes to keep her in Paris, though his pity is unreliable. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Arranges the meeting with Valérie Seymour; babbles excitedly about her life and character, displaying effeminate mannerisms that Stephen hates. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Brockett accompanies Stephen to Valérie's flat, gossips, and tries to showcase Stephen's talents. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vi) Brockett is mentioned as being at his worst during the meeting, with his environment going to his head. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Finds Stephen an architect and then departs abruptly for the Austrian Tyrol to write plays. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Brockett is in London busy with his plays, writing seldom but cordially. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as being in America on business. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Enlists despite his effeminate nature; writes to Stephen about his decision. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Sends cheerful letters from Mesopotamia, requesting sweets, soap, and hair-wash. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Writes a letter to Stephen, teasing her about her unsociability and urging her to contact Valérie Seymour. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Brockett is mentioned as having taken Stephen to Lapérouse and having taught her Paris, for which Stephen feels grateful. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Visits Stephen, meets Mary, and offers his discreet support. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Lunches with Stephen and Mary at his flat; his manner remains guarded. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Occasionally visits but focuses entirely on Stephen, not spending much time with Mary. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Brockett brings flowers and delivers a frank warning to Stephen about Mary's loneliness. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vii) Acts as an intermediary, having seen Valérie and prompting her invitation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Present at the reception; playfully asks Stephen to get him an ice-vanilla. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Tells Mary that Stephen is considered the coming writer and Valérie Seymour's lion. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as one of the few friends Stephen and Mary had initially in Paris. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as one of the invited guests for the evening. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Sulky after being snubbed by Stephen; prying and cynical; watches the dancers with cold observation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/jonathan_brockett - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters