South Wind (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

Bishop Heard of Bampopo, an English clergyman who goes to the Isle of Nepenthe to meet his cousin and escort her to England, where he is going from Africa.

Don Francesco, a Roman Catholic priest who introduces Bishop Heard to Nepenthean society.

The duchess of San Martino, an American- born woman who married a title. She is being converted to Catholicism.

Mr. Keith, an ardent, aging hedonist. He believes people ought to do what they wish.

Denis Phipps, a college student who confides in Bishop Heard. He finally learns how to make a decision for himself.

Mr. Eames, an elderly scholar.

Count Caloveglia, an antiquarian and a dealer in fake antiques.

Freddy Parker, the proprietor of a café. He sponsors a religious procession in an effort to end an eruption of the local volcano.

Miss Wilberforce, an American who drinks heavily and undresses in the streets.

Mr. Van Koppen, an American millionaire. He is something of an eccentric. When cheated by Count Caloveglia, he pays the outrageous price, pleased that the count has fooled an expert.

Mrs. Meadows, the bishop’s cousin. She kills Retlow because, as her first husband, he tries to blackmail her.

Retlow, alias Muhlen, a blackmailer and former. Mrs. Meadows murders him because he tries to blackmail her.

Signor Malipizzo, the local magistrate and a Freemason. He hopes to discredit the church by showing that a cousin of Don Francesco committed the murder of Muhlen.

Commendatore Morena, the lawyer who defends the boy accused of murdering Muhlen.

Bibliography:

Greenlees, Ian. Norman Douglas. Harlow, Essex, England: Longman Group, 1971. A pamphlet-length survey by a man who knew and traveled with Douglas. South Wind receives careful attention.

Holloway, Mark. Norman Douglas: A Biography. London: Martin Secker & Warburg, 1976. The only comprehensive biography. A warm but judicious consideration by a man who admits to enjoying Douglas’ work “almost without reservation.” Contains the most thorough investigation available of South Wind’s origin, composition, and influence.

Leary, Lewis. Norman Douglas. New York: Columbia University Press, 1968. A brief survey that treats South Wind prominently. Concludes that the novel remains as fresh as when it first appeared.

Lindeman, Ralph D. Norman Douglas. Boston: Twayne, 1965. Easily the best book-length introduction to Douglas and his writings. South Wind receives specific treatment. Bibliography.

Matthews, Jack. “Jack Matthews on Norman Douglas’s South Wind.” In Rediscoveries: Informal Essays in Which Well-Known Novelists Rediscover Neglected Works of Fiction by One of Their Favorite Authors, edited by David Madden. New York: Crown, 1971. A genial appreciation stressing the novel’s intelligence, compassion, and humor. Wonders at the book’s neglect. A good starting place for research.