# Hastings — The King in Yellow character guide

> Hastings in The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Hastings, Monsieur Hastings

**First appearance:** 0002-the-king-in-yellow

## Who they are

A newly arrived American in Paris whose sober decency makes him the perfect witness to his friends' unraveling, and to worse things waiting in the dark.

## Relationships

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Hastings is deeply infatuated with the girl, who remains elusive and mysterious, driving much of his obsessive behavior.

### [Clifford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/clifford)

_friendship_

Clifford and Hastings are close companions, often sharing adventures and confidences in the bohemian underworld.

### [Edward Burkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/edward_burkes)

_friendship_

Edward Burkes and Hastings are companions in the bohemian scene, sharing a bond over their artistic struggles and escapades.

### [Clifford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/clifford)

_friendship_

Clifford and Hastings are close companions, often sharing adventures and confidences in the bohemian underworld.

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Hastings is deeply infatuated with the girl, who remains elusive and mysterious, driving much of his obsessive behavior.

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Hastings is deeply infatuated with the girl, who remains elusive and mysterious, driving much of his obsessive behavior.

### [Clifford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/clifford)

_friendship_

Clifford and Hastings are close companions, often sharing adventures and confidences in the bohemian underworld.

### [Edward Burkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/edward_burkes)

_friendship_

Edward Burkes and Hastings are companions in the bohemian scene, sharing a bond over their artistic struggles and escapades.

## In the story

### [The Demoiselle d’Ys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/the-demoiselle-d-ys)

The narrator who becomes lost and meets the demoiselle.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/i)

The young American newcomer, under the care of Dr. Byram, seeking a respectable pension in Paris.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/ii)

Homesick and depressed, Hastings arrives at the pension and meets the Byngs and Mr. Bladen.

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

Newly arrived in Paris, meets Clifford and Valentine in the Luxembourg Gardens.

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

The nouveau artist, naive and straitlaced, defended by Clifford in the studio; later waits for a girl in the Luxembourg Gardens.

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

Protagonist; feels homesick and awkward after meeting Mr. Bladen, but enjoys the excursion to La Roche, though his thoughts return to Valentine.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/vi)

Awakens with thoughts of Valentine, tries to help Clifford, meets Valentine in the Luxembourg Gardens, and spends the day with her.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/hastings
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters