# Gudge — What’s Wrong with the World character guide

> Gudge in What’s Wrong with the World by G. K. Chesterton.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the sensitive Gudge, himself

**First appearance:** 0001-what-s-wrong-with-the-world

## Snapshot

A corrupt, apoplectic old Tory in the Carlton Club who roars 'Do 'em good!' at any mention of poverty and defends indefensible slums.

## Who they are

Gudge is the landlord and reactionary who has persuaded himself that stinks and overcrowding made England great, and that open drains rear a Viking breed. His feud with Hudge is the book's type of endless English misunderstanding: one defends slums, the other worships model tenements, and neither begins with the ideal. He matters because Chesterton uses him to show that the practical politician who scorns first principles is no politician at all.

## Relationships

### [Hudge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/characters/hudge)

_rivalry_

Gudge and Hudge represent opposing political or philosophical factions, often clashing in their views.

## In the story

### [What’s Wrong with the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/what-s-wrong-with-the-world)

The sensitive counterpart to Hudge, also trapped in the same flawed framework of modern reform.

### [Part I: The Homelessness of Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/part-i-the-homelessness-of-man)

The sensitive reformer who, despite his aestheticism, also abandons true home and tradition.

### [VI: The Enemies of Property](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/vi-the-enemies-of-property)

Implied as one of the modern sophists who propound new ideals.

### [VIII: The Wildness of Domesticity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/viii-the-wildness-of-domesticity)

Implied as the opposing representative, though not directly named in this chapter.

### [IX: History of Hudge and Gudge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/ix-history-of-hudge-and-gudge)

The sensitive reformer who romanticizes slums and opposes Hudge's tenements, ending as a reactionary Tory.

### [Part IV: Education: Or the Mistake About the Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/part-iv-education-or-the-mistake-about-the-child)

Gudge is mentioned as the opposing figure to Hudge, representing a different but equally flawed educational philosophy.

### [XIII: The Outlawed Parent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/xiii-the-outlawed-parent)

Implied as a representative of the sensitive or progressive reformer who also fails to respect the traditions of the poor.

### [Part V: The Home of Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/part-v-the-home-of-man)

Represents the sensitive modern critic who also misunderstands the home.

### [III: The Dreadful Duty of Gudge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/iii-the-dreadful-duty-of-gudge)

The obstinate Conservative or Tory who wants to preserve family life but must redistribute property to make domesticity possible for the poor.

### [A Doubt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/iv-a-doubt)

Gudge is the plutocrat who wants anarchic industrialism, cheap women-workers, and a tame population.

### [Three Notes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/chapters/three-notes)

Mentioned alongside Hudge as a contrasting figure in sociological debates.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/characters/gudge
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_s_wrong_with_the_world_se/characters