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To me, George Warleggan is a fascinating character. What actually made him act the way he did? I could understand his insecurity about being "nouveau riche" in a very class conscious society. I never quite comprehended why he hated Ross so much and was even willing to perjure witnesses and subvert justice in order to get Poldark hanged.

I'd be interested to hear other people's insights. Thanks.

Interesting question.

I am new to this site and it has been awhile since I read the novels and saw the series on TV. I am just now starting to re-read the first book Ross Poldark and I have just ordered and received Books 7, 8 and 9. I have never read beyond book 7.

Anyway back to your question. I think George Warleggan felt very inferior to the people of the upper class because of his humble beginnings. Also he got where he was by being ruthless and aggressive in a society where the "upper crust" had to do nothing but be born into the "right" noble family. George developed a personality to cover up his insecurities but they were there nonetheless. I think his immense dislike of Ross stems from Ross' and Elizabeth's history. He was never sure about Elizabeth's real feelings and perhaps worried that one day she would want Ross back in her life.

Bear in mind that this response comes from someone who has been away from the books for over 10 years now.

I hope to participate more going forward.

WinterGirl

Just found this group - thrilled to talk about Poldark with people who recognize the name!
i think there was mention in one of the early books that Ross, Francis and George had gone to school together, possibly in Truro. My guess is that the two Poldarks outshone George where it counted (and still counts with schoolboys) - physically. George was probably smarter and got better grades, but Ross and Francis would have beaten him on any playing field, as George doesn't strike me as very athletic. Does he even ride a horse? I think he always uses carriages
Anyway, I think what happened at school affected George as an adult. Add in the Elizabeth factor, and you've got dynamite with a short fuse!

I always thought his biggest flaw was his pea green jelousy of the Poldarks. No matter how much money he had, what parliamentary position he had (purchased) or the fact that he became a Sir... Ross always one upped him in so many ways, ease with all classes of people, a beautiful and loving wife, a loving family, a real full knighthood (baronetcy?) to pass on to his son and most of all that he had sons. George was never ever sure of Valentine was he. Mostly I think it was the class thing that George could never overcome. No matter how poor Ross became he was still "landed gentry" and of course any slights from childhood would have driven him.

There's not much I can add to this really, it's already been said. George was bitterly jealous of Ross and the entire Poldark family. They were landed, respected and had the right history. George, for all his hard work was still a blacksmith's grandson and had to fight harder and spend more to gain access to people and opportunities that fell at Ross's feet no matter how poor he was. Having had his nose rubbed in that since school obviously took it's toll and turned him into the man that he became.

I always felt that his persecuton of Drake was more than just fury over the Poldark link and Morwenna. Drake, as a blacksmith, reminded George of his roots and Ross setting Drake up in business almost under George's nose was the crowning insult.

Secondly, Ross always had Elizabeth. I am convinced that is why George wanted her, not because he was in love with her, although I feel that he was in the end. He just wanted her because Ross couldn't have her and it was the one thing that he could get over on Ross. He envied Ross his marriage and family but knew that Elizabeth was Ross's one area of real discontent.

People flocked to Ross. Early on in 'Warleggan' George had a meeting with Dwight and asked him why he never visited the Warleggans. Although Dwight acknowledged that he had nothing but friendly feelings towards the Warleggans, his real friendship was with the Poldarks. And this was one of countless encounters.

Although I enjoyed the rivalry between the two men, I do feel that we weren't given enough of George the man. I find him very interesting when he is being himself and not bickering or giving orders. When he is dining with Caroline in the later books and we see his discomfort over Harriet it is one of the most interesting parts of the books. We really see how unsure of himself he is and his lack of social graces despite following the ettiquette books to the letter. I wish we had seen more of this.

Sarah

I agree with Sarah - George's character is not developed very well in the early books, and by the later ones, we've probably formed our own opinions of him. I liked the correlation of George's roots/Drake the blacksmith - never connected the two in my mind before, and I've read the books too many times to count! Learn something every day......

All your points about George are well taken, and I can only add perhaps that he was not only from humble beginnings, but also the son of a blacksmith made good. It was George's greedy, but hard working father who made all the money. George disdained his father for his hard work and money grubbing greed while forced to admit that his own ability to climb socially was ALL due to the father he looked down upon. This is a big contradiction in George's soul and mind. He wanted to be landed gentry like the Poldarks, but was too close to his humble roots to EVER be like a Poldark. He knew he could use his father's money to buy the trappings of the landed gentry, but would himself always be the son of a blacksmith and he let that turn to hate of what he could never be. Perhaps in a few generations his kin would be looked upon as people of good name, but for his life, he would always be a poor second to a man like Ross Poldark. And lets not forget Ross was loved by women and George could only buy a facsimile of love. This is a big problem for George's ego.
Besides , as others have said, George had no taste in clothes at all!

Bob B.

I also think George's hatred of Ross stems from his childhood when along with Francis they were all at a boy's school in Truro. As a previous post has said - they probably outshone him on track and field and he was probably a snivelling little brat with the wrong accent and the wrong social graces. He was a misfit - and some deep rooted feelings can stem from bad childhood experiences like his.

There were others in that period who rose to the higher echelons of society from humble beginnings and were at ease in that company. Winston often quotes someone called Frances Coutts I believe.

George may have affected airs and graces but he lacked charm and therefore was never fully accepted in high society. He was mainly tolerated because he had money and in many cases had some kind of financial hold over over his fellow society members.

Demelza was not at ease in high society but her charm and beauty always allowed her to triumph in these situations.

I think that is why George hated her almost as much as Ross.

Your observations all hit the nail on the head. I loved the bit connecting Drake's smithy to George's grandfather's forge. I always felt a touch of Henry VIII or even Soames Forsyte about George Warleggan. Not only does George want to erase those less savory elements of his ancestry (let's face it, there was always a coarseness to Nicholas and Cary Warleggan, who indeed provide the missing links between George's blacksmith grandfather and the dandified George), but he also desperately wants a son to inherit his wealth and his business. He marries one patrician and one noblewoman in order to secure and even loftier heir, but fails on both counts. One can argue Valentine is his heir, but George never accepts Valentine's paternity.