Student Question

What type of character is Mr. Thomas in "The Destructors"? Flat, Static, Round, Dynamic?

Quick answer:

Mr. Thomas is a flat character in "The Destructors" by Graham Greene. He embodies the older generation of Britain and its traditions, symbolized by his historic house designed by Sir Christopher Wren. His character does not undergo any change throughout the story. The gang's destruction of his home represents a rebellion against the old order, illustrating the impact of war's physical and moral devastation on characters like Mr. Thomas.

Expert Answers

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Mr. Thomas is a flat character in "The Destructors" by Graham Greene because he has only one or two personality traits, which are not altered in course of the narrative.

In this story that is set post-World War II, Mr. Thomas represents the older generation of Great Britain and its past tradition. His house stands alone in its neighborhood since the others have been destroyed during bombings. With its two-hundred-year-old spiraling staircase and wainscoting, this house is representative of the British upper class since it was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of the famous St. Paul's Cathedral.

When Trevor (T.) takes over as the leader of the gang, the group becomes nihilistic, finding destruction as their form of creation since they have lived around it. T. wants nothing to be left of the house; he believes the old order of Britain has failed and should be replaced. As the boys tear the house down from the interior, their act of destruction is creative because it is so cleverly done that the exterior remains standing until the lorry (truck) to which they have secretly tied the wooden struts pulls it down. When Mr. Thomas (Old Misery), who has been away on holiday, sees the end of his beautiful home he sobs. This sad, old snobbish man, in his powerlessness, now feels the terrible effects of the physical and moral destruction of war.

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