Scythrop Glowry

Mr. Glowry

Mr. Glowry is Scythrop's melancholic and domineering father, who constantly pressures him about marriage and estate matters.

Mr. Cypress

Mr. Cypress is a brooding poet and acquaintance of Scythrop, engaging him in discussions on romantic disillusionment.

Raven

Raven is the gloomy butler of Nightmare Abbey, serving Scythrop and the household with morbid devotion.

Stella

Scythrop is infatuated with Stella, a mysterious and idealistic woman he hides in the abbey, representing his romantic fantasy.

Honourable Mr. Listless

Mr. Listless is a vapid acquaintance of Scythrop, providing comic contrast to Scythrop's intense romantic brooding.

Mr. Toobad

Mr. Toobad is a friend of the family who lectures Scythrop on the devil's influence in the world, adding to his confusion.

Mr. Hilary

Mr. Hilary is Scythrop's cheerful uncle, who contrasts with the Glowry gloom and tries to guide Scythrop pragmatically.

Crow

Crow is a servant at Nightmare Abbey, attending to Scythrop's needs with a similarly morose demeanor.

Mr. Flosky

Mr. Flosky is a German transcendental philosopher who confuses Scythrop with abstract theories about love and reality.

Mr. Glowry

Mr. Glowry is Scythrop's melancholic and domineering father, who constantly pressures him about marriage and estate matters.

Mr. Cypress

Mr. Cypress is a brooding poet and acquaintance of Scythrop, engaging him in discussions on romantic disillusionment.

Raven

Raven is the gloomy butler of Nightmare Abbey, serving Scythrop and the household with morbid devotion.

Nightmare Abbey

Retreats to his tower after a romantic disappointment and becomes absorbed in writing a philosophical treatise on world reform.

I

The only son and heir, who after a fashionable education falls in love with Miss Emily Girouette, is jilted, and retreats to his tower in despair.

II

Left alone at Nightmare Abbey after his father's departure, Scythrop immerses himself in romantic and metaphysical studies, devises plans for world reform, writes a poorly-selling treatise, and constructs secret passages in his tower.

III

Falls distractedly in love with Marionetta, then retreats to his tower to act out a romantic fantasy; is discovered by the real Marionetta and makes a passionate but absurd declaration.

IV

Defends his love for Marionetta against his father's objections, using logic and a dramatic threat with a skull to secure her stay.

V

Kept in a perpetual fever by Marionetta, quarrels with her, and retreats to his tower in agitation.

Chapter VI

Initially absorbed in Dante, he responds to Marionetta's cue by putting away his book and joining the circle, regaining his complacency.

VII

Defends human nature against charges of misanthropy, suggesting that ardent spirits may swing between hope and despair.

VIII

Exhibits remarkable perturbation and increased mystery, causing unease in Marionetta.

IX

Grows reserved and mysterious; secludes himself in his tower; reconciles with Marionetta but then hesitates at the betrothal, causing a rift.

Chapter X

Torn between two loves, Scythrop experiences a 'double fever of a perpetual dilemma,' oscillating between Marionetta and Stella.

XI

Engages in debate with Mr. Cypress about patriotism and the futility of seeking the past.

XIII

Caught in a hopeless predicament as his secret is revealed; attempts to explain away the situation with absurd theories.

XIV

Threatens suicide over his romantic dilemma, cannot choose between Marionetta and Celinda, agrees to a week's delay.

XV

Waits anxiously for his lovers, receives their rejection letters, tears them up, and rails against women's fickleness before calling for wine.