The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative" is a novel by George Meredith that explores the complexities of egoism through its major characters, primarily focusing on the nobleman Sir Willoughby Patterne. Sir Willoughby is characterized by his self-centeredness, duplicity, and a rigid sense of superiority, which alienates those around him, including his devoted admirer Laetitia Dale. The narrative reveals Laetitia's gradual disillusionment with his egoistic tendencies, leading her to assert her own terms for their relationship. Clara Middleton, engaged to Sir Willoughby, becomes increasingly frustrated with his manipulative nature and ultimately seeks to escape the stifling confines of their relationship. Other significant characters include Reverend Dr. Middleton, Clara's supportive father; Vernon Whitford, a shy cousin who defends the young Crossjay Patterne against Sir Willoughby's whims; and Colonel Horace De Craye, who harbors suspicions about Sir Willoughby’s character. The ensemble highlights the social dynamics and the struggles faced by individuals caught in the web of Sir Willoughby’s egoism, ultimately portraying a journey toward self-awareness and the re-examination of relationships. This narrative provides a rich commentary on the nature of self-absorption and its effects on personal connections.
The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George Meredith
First published: 1879
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Social satire
Time: Nineteenth century
Sir Willoughby Patterne, a nobleman whose pattern of egocentricities includes duplicity, austerity, snobbery, and sententiousness. Though he has played on the heartstrings of his most devoted Laetitia Dale, he learns through two broken engagements that all his barren heart can hope for is the solace of the good woman whom he has converted to egoism. Finally, Sir Willoughby is forced to abandon double dealing, to come down from the pedestal where he has viewed himself only in a favorable light, to bend his pride for the sake of a young cousin and a former servant whom he has wronged, and to accommodate himself to the understanding that his wife sees through him and cannot therefore love him. He will, of course, continue to be an egoist, though a more enlightened and flexible one.
Laetitia Dale, his silent admirer for many years and finally his public scourger. A longtime tenant of Sir Willoughby's in a cottage where she nurses her invalid father and writes for a living, she finally sickens of Patterne's self-centered ways, particularly toward his kinsman and her student, young Crossjay Patterne, whose life is being forced into the wrong mold. Always gentle, amenable, and trustworthy, Laetitia finally tires of being a confidante and becomes defiant in her refusal of the nobleman's hand after all others have failed him. Her warmth of admiration has been chilled by observation; her youth has gone in yearning; her health has suffered from literary drudgery. She makes her own terms for becoming Lady Patterne, to which Sir Willoughby agrees.
Clara Middleton, the betrothed of Sir Willoughby and his severest critic. At first attracted by the force of his personality, she soon discovers in him the tendency to manipulate lives and to order life. Feeling stifled and caged, she begs for her release, which the egoist cannot grant since he has only recently been jilted by Constantia Durham. Despairing of gaining her father's permission to break the engagement, she tries to escape to the home of her best friend and maid of honor. In this desperate but abortive effort, she is aided by the sensitive scholar-cousin of Sir Willoughby, Vernon Whitford, whom she will later marry. She, too, defends young Crossjay against the benevolent tyranny of the egotistical nobleman.
The Reverend Dr. Middleton, Clara's father, a retired clergyman, learned scholar, and warm-hearted wit. Dr. Middleton becomes more enamored of Sir Willoughby's fine wine and library than his daughter feels necessary, but he humorously involves himself in the plot to remake the egoist after he learns that the two-faced lover wishes to abandon his spirited daughter for the more complacent Laetitia.
Vernon Whitford, a poor relation of the Patternes and a writer who has taken in young Crossjay Patterne out of sympathy when his wealthy cousin refuses to aid the boy. Almost morbidly shy with women, Vernon finally asserts himself in league with Clara and Laetitia to save his young charge from education as a “gentleman.”
Colonel Horace De Craye, the Irish cousin and best man at a wedding that does not come off, partly because of his machinations. The best friend of Sir Willoughby, Colonel De Craye has long been suspicious of the nobleman's lack of nobility. He finds it easy to side with Clara, with whom he is in love, and all the others who wish to thwart the egoist.
Crossjay Patterne, the penniless son of a Marine hero who is not welcomed at Patterne Place. Though not scholarly by nature, the youth is irrepressibly happy and loving, strangely in contrast to his distant, rich relative. He loves most his guardian, Vernon Whitford, and Clara Middleton, his benefactress.
Constantia Durham, Sir Willoughby's betrothed, who jilts him ten days before their wedding date.
Harry Oxford, a military man with whom Constantia elopes.