# Illidge — Point Counter Point character guide

> Illidge in Point Counter Point by Aldous Huxley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Frank Illidge, Francis, Young Illidge

**First appearance:** 0006-vii

## Snapshot

A freckled, sharp-faced young scientist whose Byronic pose and simmering resentment at the arts' fashionable triumph betray a man furious at being overlooked.

## Who they are

Illidge works in science but moves on the edges of the literary set, leaning against pillars at parties with a contempt he cannot quite carry off given his small, jerky frame and sandy complexion. He confesses to Walter that seeing 'some wretched little scribbler with a tenth of my intelligence' cooed over makes him furious, and his bitterness is only half-joking. His radical politics and association with Spandrell mark him as a figure whose intellectual gifts and social grievances will pull him toward darker currents.

## Relationships

### [Spandrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/spandrell)

_friendship_

Illidge is Spandrell's cynical, scientific-minded friend and accomplice, drawn into his destructive schemes.

### [Spandrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/spandrell)

_friendship_

Illidge is Spandrell's cynical, scientific-minded friend and accomplice, drawn into his destructive schemes.

### [Spandrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/spandrell)

_friendship_

Illidge is Spandrell's cynical, scientific-minded friend and accomplice, drawn into his destructive schemes.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/iii)

Lord Edward's assistant, accompanies him to the party, feeling embarrassed and contemptuous toward the guests.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/iv)

Attempts to explain his newt research to Lady Edward but feels dismissed when she introduces him to General Knoyle without listening.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/v)

Expresses bitter class resentment, envies artists' success, and criticizes the rich as diseased and unneighborly; feels conflicted affection for Lord Edward.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxi)

Mocks Spandrell's romanticism about war, reflects on his own improbable social ascent while drinking claret among the elite.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxii)

Mentioned as someone who would attribute Philip's lack of acquisitiveness to his upbringing with easy money.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxix)

Argues with Spandrell about political action, feeling humiliated and angry at Spandrell's derision.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Horrified and trembling after the murder, struggles with guilt and is forced by Spandrell to maintain an alibi at Tantamount House.

### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Receives a postcard from Spandrell; has gone to Lancashire to stay with his mother.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Mentioned in Spandrell's confession letter as an accomplice in Webley's murder.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/illidge
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters