Character guide

Barbellion

major

Also known as W. N. P. Barbellion, Mr. Barbellion, young Barbellion, Mr. W. N. P. Barbellion

A restless young naturalist who begins his journal at thirteen, cataloguing goldfinches and kittens while quietly measuring himself against time, chance, and his own failing body.

R⸺

supporting

Also known as old R⸺, Dear old R⸺

One of the diarist's closest companions, remembered with the tender epithet 'dear old R⸺' and woven through the early entries of rambles, mischief, and shared boyhood.

E⸺

supporting

Also known as Poor E⸺, dear E⸺

The figure the diarist calls 'poor E⸺' and 'dear E⸺,' whose presence haunts his pages with a tenderness the journal never quite explains.

Mother

supporting

Also known as Dear Mother, darling Mother, Darling Mother

The diarist's mother, addressed in his pages as 'darling Mother,' a steady domestic presence against the wilder currents of his roaming, observing, and brooding.

The Doctor

supporting

Also known as the doctor

The medical man whose examinations and verdicts shadow the diarist's body, turning private aches into clinical language and quiet dread.

Dad

supporting

Also known as dear old Dad

The diarist's father, affectionately called 'dear old Dad,' a quiet figure in the household whose presence grounds the journal's domestic scenes.

H⸺ B⸺

minor

Also known as H⸺, B⸺, A Confession H⸺ B⸺

A person connected to a confession or significant event in the narrative.

Sir Henry Wood

minor

Also known as Sir Henry, Henry

A famous conductor, possibly encountered or admired by the narrator.

Pachmann

minor

A pianist or musical figure referenced in the journal.

Dr. M⸺

minor

Also known as M⸺

A doctor who appears in the narrator's medical consultations.

Mary

minor

Also known as Mary ⸻

A woman mentioned in the narrator's personal reflections.

Madame A⸺

minor

Also known as Madame, A⸺

A woman, possibly a performer or acquaintance.

Dr. H⸺

minor

Also known as H⸺, Dr. ⸻

A medical doctor consulted by the narrator.

Tom Sagg

minor

Also known as Tom, old Tom

A local character or acquaintance from the narrator's home.

Farmer Whaley

minor

A farmer mentioned in the rural setting of the journal.

Lucy

minor

Also known as Miss Lucy

A woman, possibly a romantic interest or acquaintance.

Maria

minor

Also known as Marie Bashkirtseff

A historical diarist referenced by the narrator.

Mrs. H.

minor

Also known as H.

A married woman mentioned in the journal.

Brown

minor

Also known as Brown Owl

An acquaintance or figure from the narrator's social circle.

L⸺

minor

A person identified only by initial, appearing in the narrative.

Martha

minor

A servant or household figure mentioned in the journal.

Prof. Herdman

minor

A professor, likely in a scientific or academic context.

Master H⸺

minor

Also known as H⸺

A young person or child mentioned in the narrative.

D⸺

minor

An acquaintance or relative identified by initial.

K⸺

minor

A person identified only by initial in the journal.

Frankie

minor

Also known as Francis Thompson, Thompson

A poet or literary figure referenced in the narrative.

Dr. P⸺

minor

Also known as P⸺

A medical professional appearing in the journal.

M⸺

minor

Also known as Miss M⸺

A woman identified by initial in the narrative.

Dr. A⸺

minor

Also known as A⸺

A doctor consulted by the narrator.

Doctor M⸺

minor

Also known as Saw M⸺

A medical figure appearing in the journal.

J⸺

minor

Also known as Pte . J⸺

A soldier or person identified by initial.

P⸺

minor

Also known as Yesterday P⸺

A person mentioned in passing in the journal.

Bob

minor

Also known as Cock Robin

A nickname for a person or character in the narrative.

Joe

minor

Also known as Joseph Vance

A character from a book or acquaintance of the narrator.

Maisie

minor

Also known as Madge

A woman mentioned in the narrator's social circle.

Mrs. Barclay Woods

minor

A married woman referenced in the journal.

Mrs. B⸺

minor

A woman identified by initial in the narrative.

G⸺

minor

A person identified only by initial.

Austin Harrison

minor

An editor or literary figure mentioned in the journal.

S. H.

minor

A person identified by initials in the narrative.

Mr. Garvin

minor

A journalist or editor referenced by the narrator.