One of Mrs. Alderman Parkinson’s two sons, a student at Harvard College. Though it is never explicitly confirmed, it is strongly suggested that George is the father of Mary Whitney’s child. According to Mary, George initially promised her marriage, but reneged on his promise. At Grace’s urging later on in Mary’s pregnancy, Mary asks George for help. He offers her five dollars, denies the child is his “since [Mary]’d been so obliging with him, that he suspect[s] she [has] been so for others,” and suggests that if she can’t figure out a solution “she could always drown herself.”
Get the entire Alias Grace LitChart as a printable PDF.
George Parkinson Character Timeline in Alias Grace
The timeline below shows where the character George Parkinson appears in Alias Grace. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 20
...hears from her family again. Grace thoroughly enjoys Christmastime at the house. Misters Richard and George Parkinson come home from Harvard for the holidays; Mr. George stays on after catching a chill....
(full context)
...mum. To Dr. Jordan, she admits that she “had [her] own suspicions,” strongly hinting that Mr. George Parkinson is the father of Mary’s baby. Mrs. Alderman Parkinson decides that they will tell people...
(full context)
Chapter 30
...Grace “will not end up like Mary Whitney.” Grace realizes that Jeremiah also knows that George Parkinson fathered Mary Whitney’s child; she decides to share everything that has happened to her, including...
(full context)