Barry Lyndon

Lady Lyndon

Barry marries Lady Lyndon for her wealth and status, but their relationship is marked by manipulation, infidelity, and mutual resentment.

Nora Brady

Barry Lyndon is infatuated with his cousin Nora Brady, but she rejects him for the wealthier Captain Quin.

Chevalier de Magny

Barry Lyndon and the Chevalier de Magny are rivals for Lady Lyndon's fortune and affection, leading to bitter conflict.

Lord Bullingdon

Barry Lyndon is Lord Bullingdon's stepfather, but Bullingdon despises him and they become bitter enemies.

Sir Charles Lyndon

Barry Lyndon competes with Sir Charles Lyndon for Lady Lyndon's attention and inheritance, viewing him as an obstacle.

Captain Quin

Barry Lyndon and Captain Quin are rivals for Nora Brady's hand, leading to a duel and lasting enmity.

Nora Brady

Barry Lyndon is infatuated with his cousin Nora Brady, but she rejects him for the wealthier Captain Quin.

Lady Lyndon

Barry marries Lady Lyndon for her wealth and status, but their relationship is marked by manipulation, infidelity, and mutual resentment.

Captain Quin

Barry Lyndon and Captain Quin are rivals for Nora Brady's hand, leading to a duel and lasting enmity.

Sir Charles Lyndon

Barry Lyndon competes with Sir Charles Lyndon for Lady Lyndon's attention and inheritance, viewing him as an obstacle.

Lady Lyndon

Barry marries Lady Lyndon for her wealth and status, but their relationship is marked by manipulation, infidelity, and mutual resentment.

Sir Charles Lyndon

Barry Lyndon competes with Sir Charles Lyndon for Lady Lyndon's attention and inheritance, viewing him as an obstacle.

A Bibliographical Note

The eponymous hero of the novel, discussed in relation to his real-life inspirations and his abusive treatment of his wife.

The Luck of Barry Lyndon

The narrator and protagonist, reflecting on his life and luck.

My Pedigree and Family—Undergo the Influence of the Tender Passion

Narrates his family history and early life, showing pride in his lineage and vanity in his appearance.

II: I Show Myself to Be a Man of Spirit

Swelling with pride, boasts of his father's dueling exploits, writes farewell letters, and defiantly swears to fight Quin for Nora.

A False Start in the Genteel World

Arrives in Dublin, adopts the alias Redmond, and quickly falls into bad company, losing his money and pawning his goods.

IV: In Which Barry Takes a Near View of Military Glory

Narrates his disgust with low company aboard the transport ship, fights and defeats the bully Toole, reunites with Captain Fagan, learns of Nora's marriage to Quin, and later fights at the Battle of Minden where Fagan is killed.

Barry Far from Military Glory

Narrator, now a young soldier of seventeen, descends into gambling and drinking after Captain Fagan's death, is wounded at Warburg, and is forcibly recruited into the Prussian army.

VI: The Crimp Wagon—Military Episodes

Narrates his transport in the crimp wagon, his wounded head, and his philosophical acceptance of his situation. He adapts to Prussian military life, becomes known as the 'Black Englander,' and uses a bullet around his neck to deter corporal punishment.

Barry Leads a Garrison Life, and Finds Many Friends There

Serves as Captain Potzdorff's Ordonnanz in Berlin, writes a letter to his mother, and later reveals his identity to a mysterious gentleman.

Barry's Adieu to Military Profession

Reunited with his uncle, learns the gambling trade, and becomes a confederate in card-sharping.

IX: I Appear in a Manner Becoming My Name and Lineage

Narrates his life as a professional gambler, boasting of his skill, courage, and success at the tables across Europe.

More Runs of Luck

Narrator and protagonist; coldly plots to win Countess Ida's fortune through gambling and manipulation.

XI: In Which the Luck Goes Against Barry

Narrates his hopes for marrying Countess Ida and his subsequent downfall after Magny's arrest.

XII: Tragical History of Princess of X⸺

Narrator; meets Madame de Liliengarten in London and learns the Princess's tragic story.

XIII: I Continue My Career as a Man of Fashion

Continues his pursuit of Lady Lyndon, using persistence and daring as his strategy, and engages in theological arguments to gain access to her.

XIV: I Return to Ireland, and Exhibit My Splendour and Generosity in That Kingdom

Returns to Ireland in splendor, reflecting on his rise; visits old friends, settles money on Phil Purcell, and schemes to marry Lady Lyndon by provoking a duel with Lord George Poynings.

XV: I Pay Court to My Lady Lyndon

Returns to Ireland wealthy and determined to win Lady Lyndon; confronts Lord George Poynings; seeks his uncle's advice; attempts reconciliation with his mother.

I Provide Nobly for My Family

Narrator and protagonist; orchestrates his marriage to Lady Lyndon and schemes for his cousin Ulick.

I Appear as an Ornament of English Society

Narrates his life as a man of fashion, managing his wife and estate, gambling heavily, and planning to secure a title.

My Good Fortune Begins to Waver

Narrates his waning fortunes, social rejection, and domestic troubles with Lady Lyndon.

Conclusion

Narrates his ruin, grief over his son's death, and his decline into poverty and imprisonment.

Endnotes

Subject of the editor's critical annotations; accused of destroying marriage records, exaggerating his estate, and abusing Lady Lyndon.