# George — Three Men in a Boat character guide > George in Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Fancy old George **First appearance:** 0001-three-men-in-a-boat ## Snapshot A bank clerk who naps through his alarm and then cuts through the group's chaos with sudden, unnerving common sense. ## Who they are George is the third of the trio, a bank clerk whose habit of falling asleep at inconvenient hours is matched by occasional flashes of startling practicality — as when he insists they pack only what they cannot do without. That single remark becomes the book's quiet thesis about life's useless lumber. His easy laugh and steady appetite for food and rest make him both foil and anchor to J.'s fretting and Harris's bluster, and his presence keeps the expedition from dissolving into pure farce. ## Relationships ### [Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/characters/tom) _friendship_ George and Tom are mutual friends who appear together in stories of youthful escapades and humorous incidents. ### [Montmorency](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/characters/montmorency) _friendship_ George tolerates Montmorency's antics with amused annoyance, often being the target of the dog's mischief. ### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/characters/joe) _friendship_ George and Joe are friends who share a love for music and singing, often performing together in amateur concerts. ### [Mrs. P.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/characters/mrs_p) _social_ Mrs. P. is a landlady or neighbor who interacts with George in a polite but slightly strained social manner. ### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/characters/joe) _friendship_ George and Joe are friends who share a love for music and singing, often performing together in amateur concerts. ## In the story ### [Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/three-men-in-a-boat) One of the three friends, who agrees to the boating trip. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/i) George proposes the river trip, claiming it will provide fresh air, exercise, and quiet. He also acts out how he feels in the night. ### [Plans Discussed—Pleasures of Camping-out—Compromise Decided on—Montmorency, First Impressions of](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/ii) Supports camping, works at a bank, is always thirsty. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/iii) George suggests using a covered boat instead of a tent and makes a list of items to bring, including bathing towels. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/iv) George lounges while J. packs, laughs at J.'s forgotten boots, later helps pack the hampers with disastrous results including treading on butter. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/v) Sleeps in, is forcibly awakened, and complains about the bath. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/vi) George is mentioned as part of the group on the river trip, though not directly active in this chapter. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/vii) George bought a loud Oriental-design blazer that Harris and J. mock. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/viii) George is seen at Weybridge lock wearing his blazer and carrying a banjo, which he has bought despite not knowing how to play. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/ix) Reluctantly takes up towing and later devises a trick to have a young couple tow their boat. ### [Our First Night Under Canvas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/x) Suggests setting up the tent first, gets tangled in the canvas, and later tells a funny story about his father. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xi) Also wakes early, refuses to swim, gets angry when his shirt is dropped in the water, and tells a story about a previous early-morning mishap. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xii) Suggests washing up, tries to open the tin with scissors, nearly loses an eye, and later takes over steering. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xiii) George is present during the tea incident with the dead dog and the strange disappearance of Harris and the pie. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xiv) Suggests making an Irish stew; goes for a walk with J.; questions Harris about the swan story. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xv) George disputes Harris's claim about work, asserting that he has done all the real labor. He also expresses a desire to try punting. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xvi) Shirks work and is the one who reaches for and discovers the dead body. ### [Washing Day and Fishy Stories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xvii) Supervises the laundry attempt and accompanies J. to the inn; accidentally breaks the plaster trout. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xviii) George is present during the photo mishap at Hampton Court, where he tries to pose attractively, and is also mentioned in the discussion about irritability on the river. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/chapters/xix) George performs mournfully on the banjo, sticks to the umbrella during the rain, and suggests taking the train to London. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/characters/george - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/three_men_in_a_boat_se/characters