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Cakes and Ale · Character

Harry Retford

A friend of the narrator's youth, a cheerful, improvident man.

minor

Also known as Harris, Good old Harry, dear Henry, Harry

First appearance: i

Harry Retford shows up with force in XIV. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Arranges for Rosie to be photographed by a fashionable photographer.
In the storyXIVOpen this moment free

Harry Retford first appears in 0000 i.

In XIV: Arranges for Rosie to be photographed by a fashionable photographer.

Later, in XV: An actor with a devil-may-care attitude who takes Rosie out, often without money.

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Harry Retford sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

RKRoy KearEDEdward DriffieldRDRosie DriffieldMBMiss ButcherANAllgood NewtonHRHarry Retford

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Supporting and peripheral characters
  • Central literary figures

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the peak of the narrator’s emotional fulfillment and the moment o…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Harry Retford appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Harry Retford unlock in the free preview.

See Harry Retford in i