# Barbellion — The Journal of a Disappointed Man character guide

> Barbellion in The Journal of a Disappointed Man by W. N. P. Barbellion.

**Role:** major

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

**First appearance:** 0002-the-journal-of-a-disappointed-man

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [The Journal of a Disappointed Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se/chapters/the-journal-of-a-disappointed-man)

The central figure and diarist, whose voice and perspective dominate the chapter.

### [Part I: At Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se/chapters/part-i-at-home)

The narrator reflects on his self-consciousness, ambition, and health struggles, expressing a desire to live fully despite physical limitations.

### [Part II: In London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se/chapters/part-ii-in-london)

Struggles with ill-health, self-doubt, and a sense of declining mental powers; reflects on his past ambition and current inertia.

### [Part III: Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se/chapters/part-iii-marriage)

Reflects on his marriage, egotism, and illness; expresses fear of fear and desire for a controlled death; describes his temperament as a graph of fluctuations.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se/chapters/endnotes)

The narrator is the subject of the endnotes, which reference his journal editing, health, and natural history work.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se/characters/narrator
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_journal_of_a_disappointed_man_se/characters