Waverley · Character
Gilfillan
A Cameronian preacher turned soldier, whose fanatical zeal and gift for psalmody make him as dangerous to his own side as to the enemy.
supporting
Also known as Mr. Gilfillan, Gifted Gilfillan, Habakkuk Gilfillan
First appearance: part ii ii an examination
As a supporting figure in Waverley, Gilfillan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The Cameronian commander of armed volunteers; tasked with escorting Waverley to Stirling Castle.
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Gilfillan is a Hanoverian officer of the Covenanting strain, a man whose religious fervor and military ardor are indistinguishable. He appears in the Low Country campaigns as a figure of grim comedy and genuine menace,…
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The fuller portrait of Gilfillan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Gilfillan in part ii ii an examinationCharacter Web
16 connectionsA slice of how Gilfillan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Hanoverian Authority and Allies
- Central Jacobite and Waverley Circle
- Minor and Historical Figures
- Protagonist
+11 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this passage, Waverley reaches an emotional and psychological peak as he violently oscillates between self-…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Gilfillan appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- A Conference and the Consequence
- A Confidant
- Things Mend a Little
- A Volunteer Sixty Years Since
- VII: An Incident
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Gilfillan unlock in the free preview.
See Gilfillan in part ii ii an examination