# George Arthur — Tom Brown’s School Days character guide > George Arthur in Tom Brown’s School Days by Thomas Hughes. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Arthur, little Arthur, Poor little Arthur, Geordie **First appearance:** 0011-part-ii-ii-the-new-boy ## Snapshot A slight, fair-haired Devonshire boy of thirteen, newly motherless of his father and homesick, Arthur is placed in Tom's study and quietly remakes him. ## Who they are Arthur arrives at Rugby delicate, timid, and utterly unprepared for the noise and bullying of a public school, agreeing with everything Tom says until Tom can hardly bear it. His mother's new curtains and sofa make him a partner in the study, but his real contribution is a gentle, unshakeable piety that shames Tom's rougher instincts without ever preaching at him. Watching Tom cackle after him like a hen with one chick shows how much the school's moral weather depends on who is asked to protect whom. ## Relationships ### [Tom Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/tom_brown) _friendship_ George Arthur is a younger, more delicate boy whom Tom mentors and protects, forming a deep, brotherly bond. ### [Harry East](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/harry_east) _friendship_ George Arthur and Harry East become friends through their mutual bond with Tom, with Harry also looking out for the younger boy. ### [Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/martin) _friendship_ George Arthur and Martin are friends through their connection to Tom, with Martin's eccentricity amusing the gentle Arthur. ### [Tom Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/tom_brown) _friendship_ George Arthur is a younger, more delicate boy whom Tom mentors and protects, forming a deep, brotherly bond. ### [Tom Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/tom_brown) _friendship_ George Arthur is a younger, more delicate boy whom Tom mentors and protects, forming a deep, brotherly bond. ### [Harry East](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/harry_east) _friendship_ George Arthur and Harry East become friends through their mutual bond with Tom, with Harry also looking out for the younger boy. ### [Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/martin) _friendship_ George Arthur and Martin are friends through their connection to Tom, with Martin's eccentricity amusing the gentle Arthur. ### [Harry East](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/harry_east) _friendship_ George Arthur and Harry East become friends through their mutual bond with Tom, with Harry also looking out for the younger boy. ### [Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/martin) _friendship_ George Arthur and Martin are friends through their connection to Tom, with Martin's eccentricity amusing the gentle Arthur. ## In the story ### [How the Tide Turned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-i-how-the-tide-turned) A delicate, nervous new boy placed under Tom's care; he kneels to say his prayers publicly, drawing ridicule, and inspires Tom's change of heart. ### [The New Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-the-new-boy) The new boy, shy and timid, but reveals his deep faith and love for his deceased father. He reads the Bible nightly and is comforted by Tom's kindness. ### [Arthur Makes a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-arthur-makes-a-friend) Takes the initiative to befriend Martin, marking his first independent social step at Rugby. ### [IV: The Bird-Fanciers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-the-bird-fanciers) Arthur joyfully shows off moorhen's eggs he collected with Martin, but is hurt by Tom's reproach; he later expands his collection and grows in confidence. ### [The Fight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-v-the-fight) Arthur is bullied by Williams, prompting Tom to intervene, and he later rushes to the matron in distress. ### [Fever in the School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-fever-in-the-school) Nearly sixteen, head of the twenty, still frail but stronger. Falls ill with fever and has a visionary experience of death and the afterlife, which he describes to Tom. ### [VII: Harry East’s Dilemmas and Deliverances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-harry-east-s-dilemmas-and-deliverances) Arthur is mentioned as the influence behind Tom's decision to give up cribs and as a key figure in Tom's spiritual growth. ### [Tom Brown's Last Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-tom-brown-s-last-match) Present during the conversation with the master, nudging Tom and making allusions. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/george_arthur - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters