Topsy-Turvy · Character

Major Donellan

A gaunt, humorless English delegate who regards the North Pole as Britain's birthright and arrives at the Baltimore auction prepared to outbid the world.

supporting

Also known as Donellan, The Major

First appearance: In Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the Reader

As a supporting figure in Topsy-Turvy, Major Donellan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

English delegate, tall and meagre, with a Palmerston-like head; fiercely believes the North Pole belongs to England by right of discovery and divine mission.

In the storyIn Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the ReaderOpen this moment free

See Major Donellan in In Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the Reader Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Dean Toodrink (friendship): Toodrink and Donellan are close companions, often seen together in social and planning contexts, sharing a camaraderie of purpose. With President Barbicane (professional): Donellan is a key logistical and organizational partner to Barbicane, helping coordinate the massive undertaking. With William S. Forster (professional): Donellan and Forster work together as part of the project's leadership team, handling administrative and technical matters.

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The fuller portrait of Major Donellan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Major Donellan in In Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the Reader

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Major Donellan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Polar Auction Delegates
Protagonist

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it reveals the terrifying confirmation that J.T. Maston’s calculat…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Dean Toodrink
friendship · positive
Toodrink and Donellan are close companions, often seen together in social and planning… How this plays out →
President Barbicane
professional · positive
William S. Forster
professional · positive
Jacques Jansen
professional · positive
Eric Baldenak
professional · positive
President Barbicane
professional · positive
Dean Toodrink
friendship · positive
Toodrink and Donellan are close companions, often seen together in social and planning… How this plays out →
Eric Baldenak
professional · positive
President Barbicane
professional · positive

Dean Toodrink
Toodrink and Donellan are close companions, often seen together in social and planning contexts, sharing a camaraderie of purpose.
President Barbicane
Donellan is a key logistical and organizational partner to Barbicane, helping coordinate the massive undertaking.
William S. Forster
Donellan and Forster work together as part of the project's leadership team, handling administrative and technical matters.
Jacques Jansen
Jansen works under Donellan's direction as a surveyor and engineer on the project's field operations.
Eric Baldenak
Baldenak and Donellan coordinate closely on the practical execution of the engineering work.
President Barbicane
Donellan is a key logistical and organizational partner to Barbicane, helping coordinate the massive undertaking.
Dean Toodrink
Toodrink and Donellan are close companions, often seen together in social and planning contexts, sharing a camaraderie of purpose.
Eric Baldenak
Baldenak and Donellan coordinate closely on the practical execution of the engineering work.
President Barbicane
Donellan is a key logistical and organizational partner to Barbicane, helping coordinate the massive undertaking.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Major Donellan in In Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the Reader

In the story

Major Donellan appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

In Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the Reader
English delegate, tall and meagre, with a Palmerston-like head; fiercely believes the North Pole belongs to England by right of discovery and divine mission.
In Which the Arctic Regions Are Sold at Auction to the Highest Bidder
Represents Great Britain, bids aggressively up to 199 cents, but is ultimately outbid by Forster and collapses in defeat.
In Which the Possibility That Coal Mines Surround the North Pole Is Considered
Argues that coal is practically established in the Arctic and debates President Barbicane, but grows cautious when others listen.
In Which President Barbicane Says No More Than Suits His Purpose
Represents England and challenges Barbicane with pointed questions about the feasibility and means of reaching the North Pole, pressing for specifics.
In Which a Little Uneasiness Begins to Show Itself
Predicts a terrible accident; comments that London might end up atop Mont Blanc.
In Which J. T. Maston Heroically Continues to Be Silent
Observes the escalating tensions among European delegates but does not engage in physical conflict himself.
In Which a Crowd of Dissatisfied People Break Into the Cell of J. T. Maston
Prepares to return to Europe to secure rights on new territory.
In Which J. T. Maston Regrets That the Crowd Did Not Lynch Him When He Was in Prison
Leads the European delegates in celebrating the sun's unchanged course.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Major Donellan unlock in the free preview.

See Major Donellan in In Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the Reader