# Joe Bevan — The White Feather character guide

> Joe Bevan in The White Feather by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Joe Bevan, Mr. Bevan, Bevan, old Joe

**First appearance:** 0009-vii-mr-joe-bevan

## Snapshot

A retired prizefighter turned trainer at the Blue Boar, who takes Sheen's pluck seriously and teaches him that a straight left beats the world.

## Who they are

Joe Bevan gave up fighting when he found he was getting on, and now trains young chaps at an inn up the river, sizing up Sheen's courage the moment he sees him stand up to Albert. His pitch to Sheen is practical and unsentimental: learn to box, and the hooligan who would have thrashed you will run at the sight of your shape. He becomes the instrument of Sheen's repair, and his faith in the straight left is the novel's quiet creed of technique over bluster.

## Relationships

### [Sheen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters/sheen)

_professional_

Joe Bevan is Sheen's boxing trainer, guiding him in skill and discipline.

### [Spence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters/spence)

_professional_

Joe Bevan interacts with Spence in the context of boxing training.

### [Sheen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters/sheen)

_professional_

Joe Bevan is Sheen's boxing trainer, guiding him in skill and discipline.

### [Sheen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters/sheen)

_professional_

Joe Bevan is Sheen's boxing trainer, guiding him in skill and discipline.

### [Spence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters/spence)

_professional_

Joe Bevan interacts with Spence in the context of boxing training.

### [Spence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters/spence)

_professional_

Joe Bevan interacts with Spence in the context of boxing training.

## In the story

### [VII: Mr. Joe Bevan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/vii-mr-joe-bevan)

Former lightweight champion of the world, offers to teach Sheen boxing, quotes Shakespeare, and advises the straight left.

### [IX: Sheen Begins His Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/ix-sheen-begins-his-education)

Instructs Sheen in boxing with skill, sympathy, and enthusiasm, quoting Shakespeare and emphasizing technique.

### [X: Sheen’s Progress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/x-sheen-s-progress)

Teaches Sheen boxing, shares his philosophy and Shakespearean knowledge, and offers consolation.

### [XI: A Small Incident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xi-a-small-incident)

Arranges the sparring session and instructs Sheen on uppercut technique.

### [XIII: Deus Ex Machina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xiii-deus-ex-machina)

The boxing instructor at the Blue Boar. He helps Sheen retrieve the sunken boat and identifies the damage as deliberate.

### [Mr. Bevan Makes a Suggestion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xviii-mr-bevan-makes-a-suggestion)

Notices Sheen's poor form and encourages him to aim for the Aldershot competition.

### [XIX: Paving the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xix-paving-the-way)

Former champion who trained Sheen and recommended him for Aldershot; also trained Mr. Spence at Cambridge.

### [Sheen Goes to Aldershot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xx-sheen-goes-to-aldershot)

Sheen's boxing trainer; he advises Sheen on technique and promises to second him at Aldershot if possible.

### [A Good Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xxi-a-good-start)

Expected by Sheen to be in his corner, but does not appear.

### [XXII: A Good Finish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xxii-a-good-finish)

Acts as Sheen's second during the fight, giving tactical advice and reviving him between rounds.

### [A Surprise for Seymour's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/chapters/xxiii-a-surprise-for-seymour-s)

Mentioned as Sheen's boxing trainer and present in his corner at Aldershot.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters/joe_bevan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_white_feather_se/characters