Denis

Mr. Scogan

Denis is intellectually dominated and often manipulated by Mr. Scogan's cynical, philosophical provocations.

Anne

Denis is hopelessly in love with Anne, but she remains teasingly aloof and uncertain of her own feelings.

Gombauld

Denis and Gombauld are rivals for Anne's affection, with underlying artistic jealousy.

Priscilla Wimbush

Denis is a polite but bemused listener to Priscilla's eccentric spiritual and occult interests.

Mr. Wimbush

Denis interacts with Mr. Wimbush as a courteous guest and listener to his historical anecdotes.

Henry Wimbush

Denis politely engages with Henry Wimbush, who often lectures him on local history.

Mrs. Wimbush

Denis is a polite guest to Mrs. Wimbush, though their interactions are limited and formal.

Mr. Scogan

Denis is intellectually dominated and often manipulated by Mr. Scogan's cynical, philosophical provocations.

Anne

Denis is hopelessly in love with Anne, but she remains teasingly aloof and uncertain of her own feelings.

Mr. Scogan

Denis is intellectually dominated and often manipulated by Mr. Scogan's cynical, philosophical provocations.

Anne

Denis is hopelessly in love with Anne, but she remains teasingly aloof and uncertain of her own feelings.

Henry Wimbush

Denis politely engages with Henry Wimbush, who often lectures him on local history.

I

Protagonist; arrives at Crome by bicycle, introspective and self-critical, obsessed with words and beauty.

II

Arrives at Crome, explores the house, and visits Mrs. Wimbush in her boudoir.

III

Feels jealous of Gombauld's attention to Anne; his novel is mocked by Mr. Scogan, leading him to plan its destruction.

IV

Wakes up deliberating over his wardrobe, feels self-conscious about his appearance, and engages in a philosophical conversation with Anne about taking things for granted.

V

Scratches the boar's back with his walking-stick, finding pleasure in the simple kindness, and observes the group dynamics.

Mr. Barbecue-Smith Arrives

Is condescended to by Barbecue-Smith, feels insulted by the comparison, plays the piano awkwardly.

VII

Considered by Mary as a potential partner; described as more civilised but possibly a dilettante.

VIII

Curtly responds to Mary's question about poetry, claiming he cannot write without a typewriter, and listens to Mr. Scogan's remarks.

X

Lies awake composing a poem about his nameless misery; later sits glumly pretending to read while watching Anne dance with Gombauld, feeling inwardly wild but outwardly tame.

XI

Present during the walk and discussion; Mr. Scogan suggests he become a biographer of queer men.

XII

Mentioned as having repelled Mary's attempt at serious discussion with his remark 'Blight, Mildew, and Smut'.

XIII

Asks if they may read the History.

XIV

Listens to Scogan's lecture and asks for a concrete example of Knockespotch's work.

XVI

Mentioned by Mr. Scogan as someone who might have become a little Nero under different circumstances.

Chapter XVII

Returns to the drawing-room in profound depression after his failed romantic advance on Anne and his humiliating inability to carry her.

XX

Expounds on his love of words and the disillusionment of learning the true meaning of 'carminative'.

XXI

Mentioned by Gombauld as another victim of Anne's supposed games; Anne denies this.

XXII

Retires to his bedroom to write, suffers from postprandial melancholy, and is disturbed by seeing Anne with Gombauld. He later listens to Mr. Scogan's discourse and suggests visiting Gombauld.

XXIII

Visits Gombauld's studio with Mr. Scogan; declares his love for Anne.

XXIV

Discovers Jenny's caricature notebook, leading to a painful reassessment of his self-image and the reality of others' perceptions.

XXV

Reluctantly agrees to write a poem for the Fair after Anne insists, and reflects on Jenny's secret caricature notebook.

XXVI

Observes the fete from a tower, descends into the crowd, and wanders through the fair.

XXVII

Observes Scogan's act, wanders the fete, reads his poem, and retreats to the library for solitude.

XXVIII

Watches the dancing from the entrance, feeling left out as Anne dances with Gombauld; is led away by Henry Wimbush to see drainpipes.

XXIX

Devastated by witnessing Anne and Gombauld's embrace, he contemplates suicide on the tower but is saved by Mary's intervention; they share confidences.

XXX

Sends a fake telegram to force his own departure, then regrets his decisive action as he is torn between leaving and staying near Anne.