Characters
Philip Quarles
Philip Quarles is a highly intellectual man, adept in the art of conversation, yet strikingly devoid of emotional depth. As a writer and diarist, he exemplifies the kind of intellect that comprehends everything yet feels nothing. His encyclopedic mind allows him to develop topics in novel and surprising ways, reinforcing his place as a prime example of the novel's critique of a purely intellectual life devoid of instinctual vitality.
Elinor Quarles
Elinor Quarles, Philip’s wife, grapples with profound dissatisfaction in her marriage. Her husband's emotional detachment drives her to contemplate an affair with Everard Webley, a former friend. The death of their child, Little Philip, from meningitis, profoundly affects her, amplifying her discontent and highlighting her struggles with loss.
Walter Bidlake
Walter Bidlake is a literary man and critic residing in London. He is marked by indecision and weakness, evident in his retreat from demanding a salary increase from Burlap. His conscience is troubled by his attraction to Lucy Tantamount, despite being involved with Marjorie Carling. Walter’s pursuit of fulfillment through an affair with Lucy underscores the novel's depiction of the emptiness inherent in an intellectual life lacking instinctual expression.
Marjorie Carling
Marjorie Carling, Walter’s mistress, battles emotional instability and an ongoing quest for fulfillment. She left her husband, Carling, due to his perversion, yet replicates a nagging, wife-like dynamic with Walter instead of serving as a supportive companion. Faced with her pregnancy, Marjorie's fear further alienates Walter, driving him away as she struggles to balance her physical and spiritual needs. A move to the country briefly improves her disposition.
John Bidlake
John Bidlake, Walter’s father, was once a renowned artist, indulging heavily in sensual pleasures. His decline in both artistic prowess and physical health horrifies him, rendering him a pathetic and unsympathetic figure. His life exemplifies the pitfalls of living an irresponsible sensual existence. Despite his diminished state, he maintains a connection with Hilda Tantamount, a former lover and current friend.
Hilda Tantamount
Hilda Tantamount is a successful socialite in London, known for her adept social skills and malicious gossip. As John Bidlake’s former mistress, she now shares a platonic friendship with him. Her life is a pursuit of amusement and spite, reflecting her cruel nature. As Edward’s wife, she continues to live for malice and social intrigue.
Edward Tantamount
Lord Edward Tantamount, Hilda’s husband, is a distinguished biologist whose scientific approach fails to account for the intricacies of human relationships. Despite his prominence in the scientific community, he is a failure in personal connections, embodying the novel’s skepticism toward the application of scientific methods to the complexities of human experience.
Lucy Tantamount
Lucy Tantamount, daughter of Lord Edward, mirrors her mother’s spitefulness and engages in promiscuous behavior. She pursues various men, including Walter Bidlake and a Parisian artist, seeking emotional fulfillment through sexual encounters. Lucy’s actions are devoid of conscience, illustrating her malicious and restless nature.
Maurice Spandrell
Maurice Spandrell is a profoundly nihilistic character, driven to violence by his mother's remarriage. Spiraling into a psychotic state of sadism and hatred, he finds pleasure only in violent sensations, culminating in the murder of Everard Webley. His character epitomizes the destructive potential of unchecked hatred and emotional turmoil.
Everard Webley
Everard Webley is an influential fascist leader, heading the "British Freemen." Charismatic and physically imposing, his thirst for power and disdain for the masses make him a prime target for Frank Illidge’s hatred. Once a friend to Elinor Quarles, Webley’s character reflects the dangers of authoritarian allure and violent ideology.
Frank Illidge
Frank Illidge is a talented laboratory assistant to Lord Edward, rising from his working-class background....
(This entire section contains 1047 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
His strong socialist convictions lead him to abhor capitalists like Webley. Consumed by hatred, Illidge becomes entangled in Webley's murder, exemplifying the influence of social and political ideology on personal morality.
Burlap
Burlap is the editor of The Literary World, a magazine struggling financially. Despite his arrogance and miserly disposition, Burlap deceives himself into believing he contributes positively to literary culture. His pursuit of Beatrice Gilray, despite being aware of her fragility, reveals his hypocritical and manipulative nature.
Beatrice Gilray
Beatrice Gilray is a delicate woman heavily affected by Burlap’s influence and her traumatic past. She fears men due to a sexual assault by her uncle, rendering her vulnerable to Burlap's advances. Her interaction with him highlights the blending of intellectual pursuits with harmful sensuality.
Mark Rampion
Mark Rampion is an artist who has ascended from a lower-class background. His work embodies the integration of life's diverse forces, contrasting with Philip Quarles’ understanding without living. Rampion’s balanced existence sets him apart as one of the few well-adjusted characters, illustrating the novel’s appreciation for a harmonious life.
Mary Rampion
Mary Rampion, wife of Mark, brings cheerfulness and spontaneity to their marriage. Rejecting the constraints of her upper-class origins, she marries Mark for love and embodies the natural life he advocates. Her joyful acceptance of life’s vigor and simplicity aligns with her husband’s artistic ideals.
Mrs. Bidlake
Mrs. Bidlake, mother of Walter and Elinor Quarles, is a gentle and aesthetic elderly woman. Despite her kindness, she remains powerless to assist her children in overcoming their personal dilemmas, reflecting the novel’s theme of generational disconnect and helplessness.
Rachel Quarles
Rachel Quarles, wife of Sidney Quarles, embodies patience and tolerance within her troubled marriage. Her dignified acceptance of her husband’s infidelity and her role in discreetly managing familial scandals highlight her Christian devotion and forbearance.
Sidney Quarles
Sidney Quarles, father of Philip, is a verbose literary figure who fails to take action. Despite his ambitions to write a significant work on democracy, he never accomplishes this goal, instead engaging in affairs and neglecting his wife, Rachel. His character illustrates the ineffectiveness of unproductive intellectualism.
Mrs. Knoyle
Mrs. Knoyle, Maurice Spandrell’s mother, inadvertently triggers her son’s descent into madness by remarrying. Her role in his life underscores the novel's exploration of familial relationships and their impact on individual psyche.
General Knoyle
General Knoyle, Maurice Spandrell’s stepfather, is entrenched in military traditions, unable to adapt to the changing realities of the modern world. His outdated views serve as a critique of rigid adherence to obsolete customs and the blindness it induces.
