In the Midst of Life · Character

Charles Marlowe

A hunter in the deep woods who kisses his wife and child goodbye one midsummer morning and closes the door upon his happiness forever.

supporting

Also known as Marlowe

First appearance: The Eyes of the Panther

As a supporting figure in In the Midst of Life, Charles Marlowe is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Irene's father, who recounts the story of her childhood encounter with a panther.

In the storyThe Eyes of the PantherOpen this moment free

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Marlowe is at ease in his forest life, taking down his rifle when there is already meat enough because the day invites it. He receives his wife's solemn warning about a dream with less gravity than it deserves—he laughs, teases her about Baby losing the power of speech, and leaves with a kiss for each. His cheerful disbelief in her premonition is the ordinary human error the story will punish, and his failure to return at nightfall is the silence around which the rest of the tale tightens.

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Character Web

3 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Feuds, secrets, and tragic fates

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the narrator’s emotional and psychological peak occurs as she confesses her intense, almost i…

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In the story

Charles Marlowe appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Eyes of the Panther
Irene's father, who recounts the story of her childhood encounter with a panther.
One Does Not Always Marry When Insane
Mentioned as Irene's surname, but not directly present in the chapter.
A Room May Be Too Narrow for Three, Though One Is Outside
A woodman pioneer who leaves his family to hunt despite his wife's ominous dream; returns to find his child dead.
III: The Theory of the Defense
Mentioned as Irene's father, broken by sorrow and living a solitary life.
IV: An Appeal to the Conscience of God
Old Man Marlowe, the recluse father of the woman Brading courted; his daughter is the victim found in the woods.

Chapter companion notes

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See Charles Marlowe in The Eyes of the Panther