Characters
This book is full of various characters. Each section introduces new characters, and so far, each has introduced a new narrator to the story. Those are the characters I will focus on for this post, the new and varying narrators and how they interact with each other.
The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing: we are introduced to who I believe to be the main protagonist, Adam Ewing. Because of the time period with which his journal writings are from, his speech is sophisticated and with different grammar and spellings (as I mentioned in my previous post of style). He is a very religious man. Goes to church every Sunday and censors swears in his own journal. Even with this religious innocence, he still refers to a woman as, "not far removed from the jungle breed." (6) Though he does succumb to the prevalent issue of race that occurred in the 18th century, he still seems to be the only empathetic character in this section of the novel. He fears the "gold fever" going on in San Francisco. When he hears the crew of his ship is going to abandon the ship in California he says, "My sympathies are with the seamen!" (21) Later, when he happens upon the dendroglyphs, he does not tell anyone of them in fear of the people selling them for a profit, at the expense of the tribesmen. So Ewing is a man against greed, for everyone working with each other rather than against, cares for the tribesman, and a religious man, yet we still need to get past his racism.
Letters From Zedelghem: we are now introduced to our second narrator, Robert Frobisher. Frobisher has been my favorite character throughout this, but he is an extremely complex one. He is a great musician, yes, but there is so much to his character that is hidden in his beautiful writing. The beginning of his character stems from issues with his father, who he only references in the Latin form: Pater. It sounds like Frobisher is concerned that he hasn't lived up to his father's expectations and that he lives in the shadow of Adrian, his brother who died at war. Because of this issue, he fears rejection. He ends a long letter by saying, as an afterthought, "Best news of all: started composing on my own account again." (68) This should be an exciting accomplishment, but because of how he is, he likely thinks that if he doesn't get excited about it, he won't be too disappointed if he fails. Robert Frobisher is also a sad employee and a romantic. He is angry at the lack of credit he gets for the work he does for Ayrs, which is great work as he is a genius musician. He also claims that he has, "Never loved anyone except [him]self," which we know is false as these letters are written to his lover, Rufus Sixsmith, and he has involved himself in an affair with Ayrs' wife. Robert Frobisher is a genius bisexual musician who is too smart and caring (deep down) for his own good.
Half-Lives--The First Luisa Rey Mystery: in this section we are finally introduced to Rufus Sixsmith and a woman named Luisa Rey. As mentioned previously, Sixsmith is the man to which all of Frobisher's letters are addressed. Sixsmith still remains a man of mystery, however. We know that Rufus was a scientist at Seaboard's HYDRA nuclear plants on Swannekke Island. He files a report on the truthful dangers of the new plant and plans to expose the company. Before much is known about him, he is assassinated by a man named Bill Smoke, hired by the president of Seaboard. We are also introduced to reporter Luisa Rey she is a strong and heroic journalist who meets Sixsmith on an elevator and becomes acquaintances with him. She soon learns of the HYDRA plant and what may happen. She, like Robert Frobisher, has problems with her father, but more in that he was once an incredible journalist; leaving her huge shoes to fill. She lets this fuel her determination, courage, and strength in her journey to expose the HYDRA plant.
The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing: we are introduced to who I believe to be the main protagonist, Adam Ewing. Because of the time period with which his journal writings are from, his speech is sophisticated and with different grammar and spellings (as I mentioned in my previous post of style). He is a very religious man. Goes to church every Sunday and censors swears in his own journal. Even with this religious innocence, he still refers to a woman as, "not far removed from the jungle breed." (6) Though he does succumb to the prevalent issue of race that occurred in the 18th century, he still seems to be the only empathetic character in this section of the novel. He fears the "gold fever" going on in San Francisco. When he hears the crew of his ship is going to abandon the ship in California he says, "My sympathies are with the seamen!" (21) Later, when he happens upon the dendroglyphs, he does not tell anyone of them in fear of the people selling them for a profit, at the expense of the tribesmen. So Ewing is a man against greed, for everyone working with each other rather than against, cares for the tribesman, and a religious man, yet we still need to get past his racism.
Letters From Zedelghem: we are now introduced to our second narrator, Robert Frobisher. Frobisher has been my favorite character throughout this, but he is an extremely complex one. He is a great musician, yes, but there is so much to his character that is hidden in his beautiful writing. The beginning of his character stems from issues with his father, who he only references in the Latin form: Pater. It sounds like Frobisher is concerned that he hasn't lived up to his father's expectations and that he lives in the shadow of Adrian, his brother who died at war. Because of this issue, he fears rejection. He ends a long letter by saying, as an afterthought, "Best news of all: started composing on my own account again." (68) This should be an exciting accomplishment, but because of how he is, he likely thinks that if he doesn't get excited about it, he won't be too disappointed if he fails. Robert Frobisher is also a sad employee and a romantic. He is angry at the lack of credit he gets for the work he does for Ayrs, which is great work as he is a genius musician. He also claims that he has, "Never loved anyone except [him]self," which we know is false as these letters are written to his lover, Rufus Sixsmith, and he has involved himself in an affair with Ayrs' wife. Robert Frobisher is a genius bisexual musician who is too smart and caring (deep down) for his own good.
Half-Lives--The First Luisa Rey Mystery: in this section we are finally introduced to Rufus Sixsmith and a woman named Luisa Rey. As mentioned previously, Sixsmith is the man to which all of Frobisher's letters are addressed. Sixsmith still remains a man of mystery, however. We know that Rufus was a scientist at Seaboard's HYDRA nuclear plants on Swannekke Island. He files a report on the truthful dangers of the new plant and plans to expose the company. Before much is known about him, he is assassinated by a man named Bill Smoke, hired by the president of Seaboard. We are also introduced to reporter Luisa Rey she is a strong and heroic journalist who meets Sixsmith on an elevator and becomes acquaintances with him. She soon learns of the HYDRA plant and what may happen. She, like Robert Frobisher, has problems with her father, but more in that he was once an incredible journalist; leaving her huge shoes to fill. She lets this fuel her determination, courage, and strength in her journey to expose the HYDRA plant.
Hi Bryton! I really liked the way you described Ewing using details about his religion and efforts to preserve things he finds along his trip. Comparatively, how do you feel about the companions on his trip?
ReplyDeleteBryton, good overview of the characters. Since, in some way, these stories are all linked, do you see any similarities between them or their stories? There is a small detail that links the parts of the novel that no one seems to have noted yet. Something about a birthmark...
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