# Philip Marshall — There Is Confusion character guide > Philip Marshall in There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Philip, Phil, old Phil, Marshall **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot Joanna's older brother, steady where she is blazing, he is the family's quiet anchor and one of the few who takes her ambitions seriously. ## Who they are Philip Marshall belongs to the household that shaped Joanna — a working family with a caterer father who once dreamed of greatness himself. Practical and unshowy, he moves through the novel as a stabilizing presence, doing the unglamorous work that keeps the Marshall world running while his sister chases stages and prizes. His steadiness matters because it throws Joanna's intensity into relief, and because it shows what ambition looks like when it isn't the whole story. ## Relationships ### [Maggie Ellersley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/maggie_ellersley) _romantic_ Maggie and Philip are lovers whose relationship is strained by class differences and personal ambitions. ### [Joanna Marshall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/joanna_marshall) _family_ Joanna and Philip are siblings, with a bond that includes both affection and rivalry over family expectations. ### [Peter Bye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/peter_bye) _rivalry_ Peter and Philip are rivals, competing for success and for the affections of Joanna and Maggie. ### [Sylvia Marshall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/sylvia_marshall) _family_ Philip and Sylvia are siblings, with a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family pressures. ### [Maggie Ellersley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/maggie_ellersley) _romantic_ Maggie and Philip are lovers whose relationship is strained by class differences and personal ambitions. ### [Joanna Marshall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/joanna_marshall) _family_ Joanna and Philip are siblings, with a bond that includes both affection and rivalry over family expectations. ### [Maggie Ellersley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/maggie_ellersley) _romantic_ Maggie and Philip are lovers whose relationship is strained by class differences and personal ambitions. ### [Sylvia Marshall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/sylvia_marshall) _family_ Philip and Sylvia are siblings, with a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family pressures. ### [Joanna Marshall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/joanna_marshall) _family_ Joanna and Philip are siblings, with a bond that includes both affection and rivalry over family expectations. ### [Peter Bye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/peter_bye) _rivalry_ Peter and Philip are rivals, competing for success and for the affections of Joanna and Maggie. ### [Peter Bye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/peter_bye) _rivalry_ Peter and Philip are rivals, competing for success and for the affections of Joanna and Maggie. ### [Sylvia Marshall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/sylvia_marshall) _family_ Philip and Sylvia are siblings, with a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family pressures. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/i) One of Joanna's older siblings, described as average and lacking the ambition of his father and sister. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/ii) One of Joanna's brothers, mentioned as occasionally being bribed by Sylvia to do her chores, part of the family dynamic. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/vii) Participates in the dance and is described as a fine gentleman like his brother Alexander. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/ix) Philip works in his father's catering business, accompanies Maggie on trips, and expresses protective concern over her association with Henderson Neal. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/x) Philip is a Harvard junior with grand ambitions to uplift the colored race. Joanna sees him as a future leader and is determined to protect his path. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xi) Referenced as the object of Maggie's affection; Joanna claims he does not care for Maggie seriously. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xii) Joanna mentions Philip's belief that equality or superiority in the arts will help break down racial prejudice. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xiv) Briefly thought of by Maggie as a contrast to Neal, imagining a more domestic life with him. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xxi) Referenced as the object of Maggie's former feelings, which Joanna reportedly reacted to strongly. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xxv) Maggie recalls her past love for him and regrets that Joanna's letter ruined her chance with him. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xxix) Refuses to shake hands with Peter due to his broken engagement with Joanna and his relationship with Maggie. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xxxii) Returned from war wounded and gassed, physically weak and bitter. He reveals his long-standing love for Maggie but refuses to marry her due to his condition. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xxxiii) Joanna's brother, who is reportedly marrying Maggie Ellersley. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/chapters/xxxv) Dying, he forgives Joanna for her letter, shares his philosophy of happiness, and dies peacefully with Maggie. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/philip_marshall - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters