Characters
The Art of Unreliable Narration
In Toward the End of Time, the tale unfolds through the eyes of an unpredictable protagonist, Ben, who spins the world around him into a tapestry woven from his own perceptions. This narrative technique, simultaneously frustrating and intriguing, invites readers to navigate Ben's subjective reality. Though it may limit the view, it compels us to scrutinize every detail with discerning insight. John Updike, an artisan of the unreliable narrator, has honed this craft through his short stories like "A & P," "The Lifeguard," and "The Music School." Here, more than ever before in his novels, Updike underscores the uncertainty of Ben’s storytelling, cautioning us that this skewed perspective is our sole glimpse of truth. The novel dances on the edge of "metafiction," reminiscent of authors like Robert Coover and William H. Gass, where the very essence of reality is questioned, portrayed as a narrative construct influenced by the narrator's viewpoint and biases. It's a case of "Reader, beware."
The Shadows and Projections of Ben's World
All the characters in this narrative orbit around Ben's desires and interests. Figures like Gloria, Perdita, Deirdre, or Doreen take shape within the context of Ben's romantic or marital fascinations. Characters such as Phil and Spin appear as noir archetypes until Spin's untimely demise provokes in Ben a fleeting sympathy. Phil undergoes a curious evolution from a gangster to a FedEx employee, yet the novel skips the transformation's details. Updike crushes any illusion of Phil's reformation by hinting at his role in orchestrating the Lynne gang's annihilation, showing no remorse for Spin’s murder or Deirdre's descent into vagrancy. As the Lynne gang shifts from menacing presences to "adopted grandsons," the change is purely in Ben's perception. John the hunter emerges as a rival, with minimal insight into his mind. Ben's golfing companions remain shadowy profiles, defined only by their jobs: one an impeccable golfer and ex-pilot, another a ravenous capitalist. These supporting figures manifest as mere exaggerations, even the grandchildren, Olympe and Etienne, embody elements of Ben’s multicultural family, as his daughter wed an African.
Delusions and Reflections
Dr. Chafetz exemplifies the extent to which Ben's narrative shapes all peripheral characters. After a vexing day on the golf course, Ben finds himself face-to-face with a "brutish-looking" figure in the locker room, whom he recognizes as Chafetz, his youthful doctor. This encounter transforms into a bizarre fantasy where Ben imagines himself as a Nazi guard taunting Chafetz, whom he envisions as a "naked Jew" awaiting execution. Snapped back to reality, Ben is reminded of his overdue medical check-up, thus embarking on the revelation of his prostate cancer. Throughout these scenes, we glimpse nothing of Chafetz’s true character, only a reflection of Ben's own sadistic, possibly subliminally anti-Semitic tendencies.
The Complexity of Character Assessment
Despite the warped lens through which they are seen, the characters in Toward the End of Time remain intriguing and significant. The challenge lies in evaluating them, as they are filtered through Ben's erratic vision. This narrative choice accentuates his volatile nature, steering our overall response to the book and its themes. Ultimately, this evaluation should consider the literary devices at play in what may be Updike's most daring narrative experiment.
Characters Discussed
Adrien
Hailing from the vibrant landscapes of Togo in Africa, Adrien is intertwined with Ben's family through his marriage to Ben's daughter, Irene. Together, they nurture two lively children, Olympe and Etienne. As a devoted computer science educator at a neighborhood prep school, Adrien weaves knowledge and connection not only into his students' lives but also into Ben's fractured family. His cultural perspective...
(This entire section contains 1228 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.
on family has left an indelible impression on Ben's offspring.
Beatrice
Beatrice, wed to Allan, finds herself navigating life's challenges as one of Ben's daughters-in-law. With struggles including her weight, an overindulgence in alcohol, and the chaos that comes with managing two unruly sons, she adds another chapter to their family saga. Upon visiting Ben, she reveals her burgeoning pregnancy, sparking a mix of emotions, including Ben's subtle envy of his son's seductive prowess.
Ken Dixon
In the company of Ben's golfing encounters stands Ken Dixon, a retired airline captain whose life outside the links remains somewhat of a mystery to Ben. It isn't until Ben undergoes surgery that Ken's concern surfaces, though the two men discover they share little in common beyond their time on the greens.
Doreen
Doreen, a spirited teenager, finds her place among the trio of boys occupying the periphery of Ben's property. These boys, self-appointed guardians against other troublesome youths, pave Doreen's path into Ben's life. She senses Ben's desire and informs him of the boys' peculiar offer for her companionship, albeit with constraints. In a mysterious twist, Doreen vanishes from the scene, leaving her fate uncertain.
Geoff
During a vibrant Grandparents' Day celebration at a local school, Geoff arrives alongside Perdita, a woman with whom he shares his life. An artist by trade and notably younger than Perdita, Geoff piques Ben's curiosity, leading Ben to ponder the nuances of his orientation.
Irene
As Ben's middle daughter, Irene shares a life with Adrien, collectively raising their cherished duo, Olympe and Etienne.
John
Gloria enlists John's services with a singular mission: to eliminate the deer ravaging her garden. Opting for a bow and arrow, John embodies patience, biding time until the opportune moment to strike. Though Ben lacks the resolve, Gloria perceives John’s sensitivity to surpass that of Ben's, despite his reticence.
José
Among the adolescents coercing Ben into paying protection fees, José stands out as the most formidable and potentially perilous. His imposing presence suggests an underlying volatility.
Deirdre Lee
Deirdre, a 23-year-old woman of the night, captivates Ben with her resemblance to a deer—her skin adorned with a rich, fur-like quality. She enters Ben's world during a vivid fantasy where he imagines himself free of his second wife, Gloria. Her departure from Ben's home is marked by pilfered belongings, yet she lingers in the narrative, ultimately aligning with Phil, who callously labels her with disdain. Ben's subsequent inquiry about Deirdre leads Phil to suggest her return to her old ways.
In Deirdre, Ben discovers the zenith of his intimate experiences. Amidst the women in his life, Deirdre emerges as the more empathetic, starkly contrasting Gloria's apparent tolerance for him, perhaps motivated by his wealth.
Manolette
The trio of teens who construct their sanctuary on Ben's land includes Manolette, the youngest at an estimated twelve years old. Silent and least assertive, he drifts through their makeshift society.
Mildred
Mildred, the eldest of Ben's lineage, embodies the essence of his paternal endeavors. She becomes the muse for a dollhouse Ben attempts to create, a symbol of his familial aspirations.
Phil
A portly figure clad in rumpled suits, Phil is one of the enforcers who descend upon Ben, demanding protection money. An acquaintance of Deirdre's from school days, Phil isn't shy about asserting his authority over her. Following Deirdre's exit from Ben's life, she gravitates towards Phil, who later transitions into a FedEx driver as the company takes over local protection operations.
Ray
Ray, a senior member of the adolescent group inhabiting Ben's property, is dubbed "the little lawyer" for his measured rationality within the collective.
Red Ruggles
A fellow golf enthusiast, Red Ruggles possesses a mind constantly attuned to his thriving fish business. His frequent phone consultations with managers and global suppliers provide a backdrop for his visits to Ben post-surgery. The evolving dynamics challenge Ben's initial, unenthusiastic tolerance for Red's company.
Spin
Spin, alongside his companion Phil, earns the nickname "the ambassadors" as they extract protection dues from Ben. With a distinctive red and gray mustache and a penchant for chewing on toothpicks, Spin's aggressive demeanor ultimately leads to his violent demise. The teenage boys deliver a brutal message to Ben by stoning Spin to death, a stark warning regarding the protection payments.
Allan Turnbull
In Allan, Ben sees a reflection of himself. Embarking on a career in finance, Allan mirrors his father's path, while nurturing his two sons, Quentin and Duncan.
Ben Turnbull
The central figure, Ben Turnbull, ascended from humble beginnings to amass wealth within the investment sector. Now retired, he exists in comfort but not contentment. Father to five financially secure children, his personal life remains marked by two unfulfilled marriages. Though unfaithful to both Perdita, his first wife, and Gloria, his second, his heart seems to have held a deeper affection for Perdita.
Ben harbors a restless hunger that mere satisfaction cannot quell. His desires rove unabashedly from one woman to the next, unhindered by age. Intensely, he even finds himself romantically enticed by his own daughter-in-law. Despite harboring a disdainful view of women, he is inextricably drawn to them. This relentless quest for physical gratification dominates his existence, until a cruel twist of fate, prostate cancer, robs him of potency. Yet, as the novel unfolds, a flicker of realization dawns upon him. Although he has perpetually observed the world around him, its natural splendor takes on a newfound significance in his eyes.
Gloria Turnbull
Gloria, the second wife of Ben Turnbull, relishes the art of manipulating the natural order. With a stern disposition, she propels Ben forward yet maintains a cynical view of him. Ben harbors an unsettling suspicion that she harbors a lethal ambition towards him. For an extended period within the narrative, she vanishes completely. In this void, Ben's imagination conjures her demise, allowing him to invite Deirdre into his domain.
Gloria perceives little of value in Ben, maintaining a wariness around him and doubting his capacity to attend to her emotional needs. In the aftermath of Ben's surgery, her attention diverts to her business, resulting in an emotional withdrawal. Ultimately, Gloria displays a warmer side to John, who slays the deer for her, and Phil, who collects her protection money. She regards Ben with disdain, asserting dominance over their shared existence.
Perdita Turnbull
Perdita, Ben's inaugural spouse, shared the blossoming of their youth in college, where she thrived as an art student. Together, they brought five children into the world during the span of their marriage. At a school event celebrating grandparents, Ben encounters her once more. He dismissively labels her as a "gaunt old witch," yet acknowledges a lingering beauty that he alone perceives. Throughout their marriage, Ben's fidelity wavered, notably with Gloria, who ultimately severed the bond with Perdita. Despite this, Perdita's essence endures within Ben's heart. When he sees her, he is suffused with an unquenchable affection. Gloria, acutely aware of this, seethes with envy toward Perdita, who may be the sole recipient of Ben's profound love.
