# II West — The King in Yellow character guide

> II West in The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** West, Monsieur West

**First appearance:** 0003-the-repairer-of-reputations

## Snapshot

Monsieur West, a sculptor's companion in 'The Repairer of Reputations,' watches a lily turn to marble and a golden ray signal the uncanny.

## Who they are

West is the narrator's companion in Boris's studio, the witness who listens fascinated as an Easter lily is plunged into a basin and drawn out as flawless marble, veined with palest azure. He is the curious, skeptical eye through which the reader sees Boris's impossible chemistry, and his wonder at the golden ray — the vital spark escaping — grounds the story's quiet dread. His presence makes the uncanny feel domestic, almost scientific, before it turns.

## In the story

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

West is an artist friend of Trent, living in a garret and having stolen a chicken from a banker.

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

Confronts Hartman violently, accusing him of being a spy, and sustains a hand injury.

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

Leads Braith and Colette to safety from pillagers, witnesses Hartman's execution.

## Links

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