Grace’s attending doctor during her stay at the Toronto asylum. Dr. Bannerling sexually abused Grace, yet maintains the hypocritical position that neuro-hypnotism (as practiced by Dr. Jerome DuPont) is immoral because it leaves young women vulnerable to sexual advances by sham doctors. Dr. Bannerling is misogynistic and describes Grace as a temptress and a liar.
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Dr. Samuel Bannerling Character Timeline in Alias Grace
The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Samuel Bannerling appears in Alias Grace. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4
...sent to an asylum in Toronto, where she was sexually abused by a doctor named Dr. Bannerling . Alone in her cell, Grace falls asleep.
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Chapter 6
...superintendent of the asylum in Toronto. Dr. Workman tells Simon that he should contact a Dr. Samuel Bannerling for information about Grace Marks. Dr. Workman was appointed to his post at the asylum...
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Chapter 9
This chapter consists of a letter from Dr. Bannerling to Dr. Simon Jordan. Dr. Bannerling characterizes Grace as “an accomplished actress and a most...
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Chapter 35
...and says, “You are just like them at the Asylum, and the prison chaplains, and Dr. Bannerling and his filthy ideas!” Simon backs off, and instead asks Grace to explain what happened...
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Chapter 50
The seventh letter is dated 1867, and is from Reverend Verringer to Dr. Bannerling . He writes to request Dr. Bannerling’s support in securing a pardon for Grace, saying,...
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The eighth and final letter is a reply from Dr. Bannerling to Reverend Verringer. He writes that he is “astonished that anyone with a medical degree...
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