Characters
T. Lawrence (Larry) Shannon
T. Lawrence (Larry) Shannon, once a promising young Episcopal priest, now
finds himself as a tour guide embroiled in a profound personal crisis. This
thirty-five-year-old American, strikingly handsome yet unraveling at the seams,
arrives at Maxine’s Costa Verde Hotel at the nadir of his life. In a swift
descent from being a rector in a well-to-do Virginia church, he is reduced to
guiding Baptist schoolteachers across Mexico under a dubious travel bureau's
employ. Shannon's turmoil is twofold: a battle with alcohol and an incessant
torment from his "Spook," a phantasm born of his own anxieties.
Despite displaying irresponsibility and occasional cruelty, Shannon is
immensely charming, a blend of sexual allure and an aura of "fallenness" that
captivates those around him. His inner struggle is a relentless quest for God,
a torment he paradoxically enjoys. His interactions with Hannah, her
grandfather Nonno, and the gruff affection he shows Maxine reveal a depth of
genuine compassion. Shannon's nature is steeped in contradictions: tender yet
harsh, spiritually yearning yet sensually indulgent, and a desire for
independence constantly thwarted by moral inertia.
Ultimately, it is through Hannah that Shannon begins to confront his inner
demons. While initially clinging to his tour group out of job insecurity, he
experiences a symbolic release by freeing an iguana. By the story's end, it is
implied that Shannon will stay at the Costa Verde Hotel to assist Maxine,
suggesting a path to redemption and stability.
Maxine Faulk
Maxine Faulk is the manager of the Costa Verde Hotel, a sensuous and
forthright woman in her mid-forties who has recently become a widow. Her
straightforward approach to life is coupled with a strong attraction to Larry
Shannon, whose complexities both draw her in and confound her. The death of her
husband has not diminished her sexual appetite, leading her to hire young
Mexican "boys" to fulfill her desires. However, this openness to her sexuality
slightly repulses Shannon.
Maxine, like Shannon, uses alcohol as a crutch and often encourages his
indulgence. Despite her self-indulgence, she possesses a sharp common sense and
emotional resilience. She views Hannah as a rival for Shannon's attention,
though she finds Hannah's nature perplexing. Her jealousy intensifies when
Shannon and Hannah develop a connection, yet she is persuaded by Shannon to let
Hannah and her grandfather stay at the hotel. Maxine attempts to ensnare
Shannon through alcohol and intimacy, which ultimately leads to him agreeing to
stay and help her run the hotel, fulfilling her need for companionship and
practical support.
Hannah Jelkes
Hannah Jelkes serves as a stark contrast to Maxine and stands as Larry
Shannon’s spiritual counterpart. She is an itinerant sketch artist, ethereal,
refined, and deeply compassionate, moving through life with her elderly
grandfather, Jonathan "Nonno" Coffin. Forced by unclear circumstances to
subsist on her art and Nonno's poetry recitations, Hannah exudes a grace that
transcends her bleak reality. Her androgynous presence contrasts sharply with
Maxine's earthiness, and her purity and femininity hold a profound appeal for
Shannon.
During their stay at the Costa Verde Hotel, Hannah’s calming influence aids
Shannon in navigating his crisis. Although her artwork fails to sell, her
serene presence provides him solace. She has had minimal romantic experiences,
having only two sexual encounters, and ultimately, she declines Shannon's plea
for companionship, advising him to remain with Maxine. After Nonno's death,
Hannah is left to face an uncertain future alone, yet her intrinsic
understanding of life provides her with strength.
Jonathan “Nonno” Coffin
Jonathan “Nonno” Coffin is Hannah's ninety-seven-year-old grandfather and a once-celebrated poet. He is now renowned largely as the "world’s oldest living, practicing poet."...
(This entire section contains 848 words.)
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Accompanying Hannah, he recites his poetry to hotel guests, with his advanced age marking his decline into senility, hearing loss, and dependency on a wheelchair and cane. Despite his frailties, Nonno maintains his genteel demeanor and dated wit.
During the play, Nonno completes his final poem after a twenty-year hiatus, a
creative triumph before passing away. His death leaves Hannah alone to navigate
her future, highlighting the deep bond they shared and her own resilience in
the face of uncertainty.
Judith Fellowes
Judith Fellowes is a schoolteacher and the organizer of the tour that Shannon guides. She is portrayed as his primary adversary, characterized by her prudishness and lack of sensitivity. Enraged by Shannon's inappropriate behavior with one of her charges, Judith reports him to his superiors, thereby deepening his personal crisis. Her actions serve as a catalyst for Shannon’s eventual confrontation with his own demons.
The Fahrenkopfs
The Fahrenkopfs are depicted as a stereotypical German family on vacation at the Costa Verde Hotel, consisting of Herr and Frau Fahrenkopf and their adult children, Hilda and Wolfgang. They are caricatures of the "master race," embodying traits of beer-swilling and obtuseness, offering a satirical glimpse into cultural stereotypes.
Charlotte Goodall
Charlotte Goodall is a young girl who develops a deep infatuation with Larry Shannon during the tour. Despite the impropriety of their involvement, she nurtures romantic illusions and harbors desires for marriage with Shannon, illustrating the complexities of his interactions with the tour group.