The Boarding-House: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: William Trevor

First published: 1965

Genre: Novel

Locale: A southwestern suburb of London

Plot: Comic realism

Time: August, 1964

William Wagner Bird, a boardinghouse owner. He dies in the first chapter and leaves his boardinghouse to two difficult boarders, Nurse Clock and Studdy. His diary provides background on the history of the residents. Nothing in the behavior of the new co-owners or the chaos they create provides a clue about why they were chosen.

E. A. Clock, a visiting nurse, resident, and coinheritor of the house. Bilked by a charm school when she was young, she is brusque, efficient, and intrusive. Her major focus is in alleviating the pain of the elderly. To that end, she decides unilater-ally to turn the house into a nursing home, ordering “undesirables” to locate elsewhere. She is the central intelligence of the novel, being the only one who realizes the nefarious nature of Studdy.

Studdy, alias Moran, a petty crook, blackmailer, resident, and coinheritor of the house. He preys on women, including an invalid from whom he bilks money; a woman who brings the “meals on wheels”; Mrs. le Tor, whom he sees in a tea shop; and Miss Clerricot, a timid secretary. He writes anonymous letters to terrorize victims, not necessarily to obtain money but for the enjoyment of power over people. He dislikes Nurse Clock so much that he wears a pin in his lapel with which to prick her.

Miss Clerricot, a middle-aged secretary and resident of the house. She innocently goes with her employer, Mr. Sellwood, on a business trip to Leeds. When she discovers that he has other ideas, she leaves. Nevertheless, she is tormented by Studdy's claim that her employer's wife is looking for her.

Rose Cave, a middle-aged resident. She is haunted by her dead mother. A gentle soul, Rose often cries out in her sleep. She is flattered that Nurse Clock wants to keep her on as an employee when the house is converted to a nursing home.

Major Eele, a middle-aged resident. His reminiscences about a brief disastrous marriage supply humor. His fantasies about women and Mrs. le Tor in particular are based on his one recreation, viewing pornography in films and magazines.

Thomas Orpen Venables, a forty-nine-year-old resident and office worker. He lives his life in fear of vengeance from the parents of a young woman whom he had gotten pregnant but would not marry. As a result, he suffers severe stomach pains and appears to be dying.

Tome Obd, a Nigerian and a failed law student. For twelve years, he has been bringing flowers and love letters to the closed door of Miss Tonks. When she finally confronts him and spells out her rejection of him, he sets fire to the boardinghouse and commits suicide.

Mr. Scribbin, a resident who is a railroad fancier. His only enjoyment is playing phonograph records of trains. Nurse Clock evicts him because of the noise. Someone, possibly Studdy, breaks three of his records. For the first time, he stands up to people.

Mrs. Slape, the cook, who is dedicated to her work.

Gallelty, the cook's helper, a Manx girl. One day, she had asked Mr. Bird for directions and ended up living in the house, helping the cook.

Mrs. le Tor, a prospective resident. She has a humorous date with Major Eele and is blackmailed by Studdy.