# Humphrey Arbuthnot — When the World Shook character guide > Humphrey Arbuthnot in When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Arbuthnot, the Rev. Humphrey Arbuthnot, Humphrey, dearest Humphrey, O Humphrey, poor Arbuthnot, Mr. Arbuthnot **First appearance:** 0002-i-arbuthnot-describes-himself ## Snapshot A grieving clergyman who narrates this strange voyage, haunted by his late wife and drawn toward an impossible love on a forgotten island. ## Who they are Humphrey Arbuthnot is a widowed reverend and the story's narrator, who joins his old friends Bastin and Bickley on a Pacific expedition that becomes far stranger than intended. He is thoughtful, self-questioning, and quietly romantic, still mourning his wife while feeling an uncanny pull toward the awakened Lady Yva. His reflective voice shapes how the reader weighs faith, science, and love against the mystery of Orofena. ## In the story ### [When the World Shook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/when-the-world-shook) The narrator and protagonist, who recounts the adventure. ### [I: Arbuthnot Describes Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/i-arbuthnot-describes-himself) The narrator describes his own birth, upbringing, inheritance of his father's abilities, his financial success, and his purchase of Fulcombe Priory. ### [II: Bastin and Bickley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/ii-bastin-and-bickley) The narrator reflects on his two friends, their contrasting natures, and his own dissatisfaction with idle wealth. ### [III: Natalie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/iii-natalie) Arbuthnot narrates the events, including his humiliation at a dinner in Rome and his first sight of Natalie. ### [IV: Death and Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/iv-death-and-departure) Grieves the loss of his wife Natalie and their child; seeks meaning in her dying words; decides to leave Fulcombe. ### [V: The Cyclone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/v-the-cyclone) Narrates the voyage, participates in planchette sessions, and discovers Jacobsen's farewell letter. ### [Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/vi-land) Narrates the chapter; reads Jacobsen's letter, interacts with natives, and survives the cyclone. ### [VII: The Orofenans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/vii-the-orofenans) Narrates the chapter, assists Bickley in the operation, and gathers information about Orofena. ### [VIII: Bastin Attempts the Martyr's Crown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/viii-bastin-attempts-the-martyr-s-crown) Discovers the carved stone and marble hand, explores the lake, and is warned by Marama. ### [IX: The Island in the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/ix-the-island-in-the-lake) Feels an extraordinary attraction and semi-spiritual exaltation toward the cave, sensing his true future and past lie within. ### [X: The Dwellers in the Tomb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/x-the-dwellers-in-the-tomb) Leads the negotiations with Marama, threatens the natives with Oro's punishment, and discovers the hidden tomb. ### [XI: Resurrection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xi-resurrection) Narrates the resurrection; assists in opening the coffins; is embraced by Yva upon her awakening. ### [XII: Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Years!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xii-two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-years) Narrates the chapter; engages with Yva about the 250,000-year sleep and defends her claims against Bickley's skepticism. ### [XIII: Oro Speaks and Bastin Argues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiii-oro-speaks-and-bastin-argues) Narrates the chapter, questions Oro and Yva about their origins, and is struck by Yva's beauty. ### [XIV: The Underworld](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiv-the-underworld) Narrates the chapter; drinks the Life-water and experiences a moment of clarity and connection with Yva; descends into the underworld holding Yva's hand. ### [XV: Oro in His House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xv-oro-in-his-house) Narrates the chapter, observes Oro's anger and the statue of Fate, and feels frustrated with Bickley's disbelief. ### [Visions of the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvi-visions-of-the-past) Witnesses the visions and is deeply affected; Yva looks at him during the vision of the prince. ### [Yva Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvii-yva-explains) Shows Yva a photograph and miniature of his late wife; engages in deep philosophical discussion about death and the soul. ### [XVIII: The Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xviii-the-accident) Awakens after ten weeks of illness, learns of his operation and Yva's intervention, and discusses the nature of the Sons of Wisdom. ### [XIX: The Proposals of Bastin and Bickley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xix-the-proposals-of-bastin-and-bickley) Recovering from illness, experiences detached mind and heightened senses; visited by Oro at night; learns of Bastin and Bickley's proposals to Yva. ### [XX: Oro and Arbuthnot Travel by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xx-oro-and-arbuthnot-travel-by-night) Accompanies Oro on an astral journey through London and war zones, experiencing horror at the violence and moral decay. ### [XXI: Love's Eternal Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxi-love-s-eternal-altar) Narrates his visions and conversations with Yva, expressing fear and confusion about Oro's powers and the future. ### [The Command](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxii-the-command) Reveals his betrothal to Yva; feels the strain with Bastin and Bickley; senses that his love is for eternity, not time. ### [XXIII: In the Temple of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiii-in-the-temple-of-fate) Arbuthnot experiences a profound vigil in the Temple of Fate, grappling with love, fear, and the revelation that Yva may be Natalie reborn. ### [XXIV: The Chariot of the Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chariot-of-the-pit) Accompanies Yva to spy on Oro; struggles with fear and the prospect of sacrifice; feels overwhelmed but resolves to follow Yva. ### [XXV: Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxv-sacrifice) Pleads with Oro to abandon his plan, recalling Yva's vision. ### [XXVI: Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvi-tommy) Narrates the aftermath of Yva's death, finds her ring, and leads the escape through the tunnel. ### [XXVII: Bastin Discovers a Resemblance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvii-bastin-discovers-a-resemblance) Reflects on the loss of photographs and the star maps, and laments being unable to serve at the front due to a head injury. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/epilogue) Dies suddenly from the injury received on Orofena; found dead at his writing desk with a cryptic final message. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/endnotes) Provides an editorial note reflecting on a past decision. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/unknown_narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters