Characters
Lanark
Lanark, the central figure in the novel, exists as the transformed identity of Duncan Thaw. He emerges in a perpetual state of mystery, residing in a shadow-cloaked city called Unthank. Lacking a memory of his past, he is remarkable for both his emotional detachment and the enigmatic aura he exudes. His journey begins on a railway car, eventually leading him to navigate Unthank’s dim streets, seeking monetary aid from a whimsically arbitrary welfare system. A determination to witness fleeting sunlight drives him to the balcony of The Elite club, where he often sits alone in the rain. Initially drawn into Sludden’s circle, he attempts to find meaning in writing, a pursuit suggested by Sludden himself.
Lanark's life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers a scaly patch on his arm, an ailment shared by Rima, the woman he pursues. This affliction becomes a metaphor for human struggles and transformations. After an unsatisfactory intimate encounter with Rima, he is expelled from her apartment, only to awaken later with a fully transformed, dragon-like arm. In a surreal sequence, he is transported to an underground utopia known as the Institute, where he inexplicably becomes a doctor, echoing the arbitrary nature of his previous role as a writer. Reunited with Rima, he cures her and they escape back to Unthank, though their relationship is short-lived as Rima leaves him for Sludden.
Despite Lanark’s efforts to salvage Unthank as provost, his political naivety becomes his downfall at an international conference. Manipulated by Sludden’s schemes and caught in a cycle of personal failures, Lanark returns to witness Unthank’s destruction, accepting his fate with resignation. His idealistic crusade, doomed from the start, ultimately consumes him. Lanark’s journey is emblematic of the struggle against totalitarianism and the search for personal authenticity in an oppressive world.
Duncan Thaw
Duncan Thaw, Lanark’s original persona, embodies the archetype of the tortured artist. Born into a lower-middle-class family in wartime Glasgow, Duncan is illustrated as an ambitious art student plagued by personal demons. His childhood is marred by asthma and eczema, which symbolize his internalized struggles and defense mechanisms against a bleak environment and a repressed personality. Despite excelling in art and English, he barely manages in mathematics and seems destined for a mundane career until a serendipitous fellowship to an art school alters his path.
At the art school, Duncan’s willfulness antagonizes instructors, yet his undeniable talent and friendship with the registrar afford him privileges, such as pursuing personal projects. His romantic life, however, is less successful. Haunted by an unrequited love for Kate Caldwell, he finds himself in a tumultuous relationship with Marjory Laidlaw, whose inconsistent behavior tortures him emotionally. His inability to complete an ambitious painting leads him into delusions, imagining scenarios reminiscent of Dostoevskian nightmares.
Ultimately, Duncan’s artistic aspirations are thwarted by his eccentricities. His journey ends on a desolate seashore, where he strips off his clothes and walks into the sea, a poignant metaphor for his desire to escape the constraints that bind him. Duncan’s story, rife with symbolic underpinnings, reflects the eternal struggle of the artist against both personal and societal battles.
Rima
Rima, initially Lanark’s love interest, evolves into a complex character defined by her existential struggles. As their relationship deepens, she gives birth to their child, yet remains at risk of succumbing to a dragon-like transformation. Lanark’s devotion saves her temporarily, offering a fleeting sense of purpose. However, Rima grows weary of Lanark’s unwavering principles, ultimately leaving him for Sludden, a decision underscored by irony and emblematic of her quest for self-determination.
Rima’s character serves as a composite of several women in Thaw’s...
(This entire section contains 1185 words.)
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life, including Marjory Laidlaw, whom Thaw pursued during his art school days. Just as Marjory’s actions tormented Duncan, Rima’s choices reflect the recurring theme of unattainable love and the inherent difficulty in balancing personal desires with the needs of others. Her decision to join Sludden highlights her rejection of idealism in favor of pragmatic survival.
Sludden
Sludden emerges as a quintessential political manipulator, his charm masking an unyielding ambition. Initially presenting himself as a principled radical, he quickly reveals a commitment solely to his own advancement. Serving as a foil to Lanark’s naiveté, Sludden’s seductive allure and polished demeanor conceal his Machiavellian nature. He deftly maneuvers through political landscapes, sacrificing Unthank for personal gain, and ultimately, securing Rima’s affections.
Sludden’s character draws parallels to the authority figures in Duncan Thaw’s life, representing the darker side of power and ambition. His willingness to exploit and discard others, including Lanark, underscores the pervasive theme of self-serving hypocrisy. Sludden’s story concludes with a superficial semblance of domestic bliss with Rima, a facade that belies the calculated nature of his ambitions and his hollow triumphs.
Professor Ozenfant
Professor Ozenfant, the insidious director of the Institute, epitomizes the corruption of scientific authority. Rising from a scientific background to a position of immense power, Ozenfant’s character embodies the dangers of unchecked ambition. Despite his professed love of music, he remains detached from the humanity he claims to appreciate, conducting inhumane experiments with cold efficiency.
Ozenfant’s hypocrisy surpasses even that of Sludden, marked by his polished demeanor and strategic manipulation. His role in the narrative serves as a critique of the perversion of science for personal gain, a theme that resonates throughout the allegorical structure of the novel. His amoral pursuit of power stands in stark contrast to the creative aspirations of characters like Duncan Thaw, highlighting the tension between genuine artistry and the exploitation of authority.
Marjory Laidlaw
Marjory Laidlaw, a fellow art student, becomes an object of Duncan Thaw’s obsessive affection. Attracted to Duncan’s emotional depth and artistic potential, her interest remains largely compassionate rather than romantic. Her reluctance to engage in an intimate relationship with him is expressed through contrived social arrangements that avoid solitude with Duncan, inadvertently deepening his emotional torment.
Marjory’s character, juxtaposed with Rima’s, enhances the structural narrative of the novel. In both cases, the women in Duncan’s life reflect broader themes of unattainable love and the complexities of human relationships. Her naive kindness unwittingly contributes to Duncan’s psychological turmoil, symbolizing the perpetual conflict between empathy and emotional detachment.
Duncan Thaw, Sr.
Duncan Thaw, Sr., stands as a poignant figure in the narrative, embodying the well-meaning yet ineffective paternal archetype. Despite his financial success during wartime, post-war realities confine him to menial work. His devotion to his family is unwavering, as he tirelessly cares for his wife during her protracted illness, culminating in her death. This devotion extends to supporting Duncan’s artistic ambitions, even to his own detriment.
Ultimately, Duncan Sr. perceives that his sacrifices have been taken for granted, prompting his retreat to the countryside. His departure signifies a quest for personal peace, away from the burdens of familial obligations. The character’s struggle to provide tangible support to his son reflects the broader theme of familial relationships within the narrative, highlighting the limits of rationality and kindness in an often irrational world.
