# Robert Etheridge Townsend — The Cords of Vanity character guide > Robert Etheridge Townsend in The Cords of Vanity by James Branch Cabell. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Townsend, Mr. Townsend, Robert Townsend, Robert **First appearance:** 0010-i-he-sits-out-a-dance ## Snapshot Robert Etheridge Townsend, a young Townsend of Lichfield with a talked-about book and a talent for shirking, cannot endure unhappiness and so avoids every responsibility that might bring it. ## Who they are Robert Etheridge Townsend is the novel's central consciousness, a young man of a prominent Lichfield family whose personal life is a comedy of shirking: he flees any responsibility that entails or threatens discomfort. His weakness as a man is bound up with his strength as an artist, for the auctorial virtues of clarity, beauty, and tenderness flourish in his work precisely because they are absent from his conduct. His growth from wastrel toward potential creator of beauty is the arc the book traces, and his evasions are the cords of vanity that bind him. ## In the story ### [An Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/an-introduction) The hero of the novel, whose character has been deepened in this edition to correlate his personal weakness with his artistic strength. ### [I: Writing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i-writing) The narrator as a child, writing his first letter to God after his father's death. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Bettie fears the narrator will become another Townsend. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) The listener to Charteris's fable, identified as having a recent disastrous love affair, and offered a penny for the story. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) The narrator is addressed as Mr. Townsend by Charteris, and he reflects on his own youth and romantic ideals. ### [He Chats Over a Hedge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi-he-chats-over-a-hedge) The narrator, who loses his hat and initiates a conversation with Miss Montmorenci, revealing his admiration and arranging a future meeting. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i) Mr. Townsend is described as rapt in admiration of the night; his new straw hat is blown over the hedge. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv) Introduces himself properly to Miss Montmorenci, proposes a daytime outing, and promises not to attend her performances. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i) Referred to as Mr. Townsend by Mrs. Hardress, he is the narrator who tells the story and is nicknamed 'Jack.' ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv) The narrator tries to view the situation through the sophisticated eyes of Townsend, author of The Apostates. ### [He Seeks for Copy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xvi-he-seeks-for-copy) The narrator and protagonist, a novelist seeking fresh inspiration for his new book 'As the Coming of Dawn.' He engages in a witty debate with his uncle about literary trends and later meets Marian Winwood, whom he sees as a potential subject for his idyllic story. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) The narrator and protagonist, a novelist who orchestrates a second meeting with Marian Winwood by feigning the loss of his watch. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Referred to by Gillian as the narrator's true identity, linking him to a desire for an advantageous marriage. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as unaffected by world events; the narrator identifies himself as Robert Etheridge Townsend. ### [XXIV: He Reconciles Sentiment and Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxiv-he-reconciles-sentiment-and-reason) The narrator and protagonist, who is smitten with the woman he meets and later identifies as Margaret Hugonin. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) The narrator and protagonist, who introduces himself as a gentleman, author, and idler, and engages in playful repartee with Avis Beechinor. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the narrator's own name, reflecting on his reputation. ### [XXV: He Advances in the Attack on Selwoode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxv-he-advances-in-the-attack-on-selwoode) Narrator and protagonist; deeply in love with Margaret Hugonin, reflecting on his transformation from cynic to romantic. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) The narrator addresses himself by his full name, Robert Etheridge Townsend, in his internal monologue. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v) Townsend pushes for intimacy by using Avis's first name and teasingly suggests they will be more than friends. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii) The narrator, now thoroughly in love, reflects on his changed feelings and his awareness of Margaret's identity. ### [He Assists in the Diversion of Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxvi-he-assists-in-the-diversion-of-birds) Confesses his true identity to Avis, revealing he is not Peter Blagden but the notorious Robert Townsend. Proposes marriage despite their poverty. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Proposes to Avis, confesses his love and past as a fortune-hunter, and decides to marry her despite poverty. ### [He Calls, and Counsels, and Considers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxvii-he-calls-and-counsels-and-considers) The narrator reflects on his own identity and desire to leave a lasting legacy. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) The narrator, who receives and reacts to Avis's letter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i) Robert Townsend is the narrator's full name, mentioned as the one from whom Bettie will wring the best. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters/robert_etheridge_townsend - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters