# Barry Lyndon — The Luck of Barry Lyndon character guide > Barry Lyndon in The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Redmond Barry, Barry, Mr. Barry, Mr. Lyndon, Chevalier Barry, Chevalier Redmond Barry, Redmond de Balibari, the Chevalier Redmond de Balibari **First appearance:** 0001-the-luck-of-barry-lyndon ## Snapshot Irish adventurer and self-mythologising narrator who claws his way from poverty to an English title, and lies gorgeously about every step of the climb. ## Who they are Barry narrates his own memoirs with swagger and selective memory, styling himself a gentleman of honour while the editor's footnotes quietly expose the borrowed money, the doubtful duels, and the wife he bullies and betrays. His charm is real and so is his ruthlessness; the tension between the two is the engine of the book. He matters because Thackeray lets a rogue tell his own story, and the reader must decide how much of the glitter to believe. ## Relationships ### [Lady Lyndon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/lady_lyndon) _romantic_ Barry marries Lady Lyndon for her wealth and status, but their relationship is marked by manipulation, infidelity, and mutual resentment. ### [Nora Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/nora_brady) _romantic_ Barry Lyndon is infatuated with his cousin Nora Brady, but she rejects him for the wealthier Captain Quin. ### [Chevalier de Magny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/chevalier_de_magny) _rivalry_ Barry Lyndon and the Chevalier de Magny are rivals for Lady Lyndon's fortune and affection, leading to bitter conflict. ### [Lord Bullingdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/lord_bullingdon) _family_ Barry Lyndon is Lord Bullingdon's stepfather, but Bullingdon despises him and they become bitter enemies. ### [Sir Charles Lyndon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/sir_charles_lyndon) _rivalry_ Barry Lyndon competes with Sir Charles Lyndon for Lady Lyndon's attention and inheritance, viewing him as an obstacle. ### [Captain Quin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/captain_quin) _rivalry_ Barry Lyndon and Captain Quin are rivals for Nora Brady's hand, leading to a duel and lasting enmity. ### [Nora Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/nora_brady) _romantic_ Barry Lyndon is infatuated with his cousin Nora Brady, but she rejects him for the wealthier Captain Quin. ### [Lady Lyndon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/lady_lyndon) _romantic_ Barry marries Lady Lyndon for her wealth and status, but their relationship is marked by manipulation, infidelity, and mutual resentment. ### [Captain Quin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/captain_quin) _rivalry_ Barry Lyndon and Captain Quin are rivals for Nora Brady's hand, leading to a duel and lasting enmity. ### [Sir Charles Lyndon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/sir_charles_lyndon) _rivalry_ Barry Lyndon competes with Sir Charles Lyndon for Lady Lyndon's attention and inheritance, viewing him as an obstacle. ### [Lady Lyndon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/lady_lyndon) _romantic_ Barry marries Lady Lyndon for her wealth and status, but their relationship is marked by manipulation, infidelity, and mutual resentment. ### [Sir Charles Lyndon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/sir_charles_lyndon) _rivalry_ Barry Lyndon competes with Sir Charles Lyndon for Lady Lyndon's attention and inheritance, viewing him as an obstacle. ## In the story ### [A Bibliographical Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/vii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/viii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/x-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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⸺](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/xvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/xviii-my-good-fortune-begins-to-waver) Narrates his waning fortunes, social rejection, and domestic troubles with Lady Lyndon. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/xix-conclusion) Narrates his ruin, grief over his son's death, and his decline into poverty and imprisonment. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/endnotes) Subject of the editor's critical annotations; accused of destroying marriage records, exaggerating his estate, and abusing Lady Lyndon. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters/barry_lyndon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/characters