The Erasers: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Erasers: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the intricate web of relationships and motivations that shape the narrative of the novel. The story centers around Wallas, a detective tasked with investigating political murders in a northern French city, who grapples with the pressures of his first solo assignment while reflecting on the methodologies of his superior, Inspector Fabius. The character of Inspector Laurent adds tension to the investigation, as he is reluctant to concede control of the case to an outsider, despite ultimately demonstrating keen analytical skills.
Daniel Dupont, a respected university professor, becomes the murder target, revealing his solitary existence and lack of emotional connections, which are further explored through the perspectives of his ex-wife Evelyn and others. Evelyn, characterized by her vibrant personality and Mediterranean roots, contrasts sharply with Dupont’s reclusive nature. The story also introduces Garinati, a small man tasked with assassinating Dupont, who struggles to execute his orders, highlighting themes of failure and desperation. Supporting characters like Dr. Juard, who provides medical aid to Dupont, further complicate the narrative, as he is intertwined with the very gang threatening Dupont's life. Overall, the character dynamics and their respective arcs offer a lens through which to examine themes of isolation, ambition, and the quest for identity within a politically charged atmosphere.
The Erasers: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Alain Robbe-Grillet
First published: Les Gommes, 1953 (English translation, 1964)
Genre: Novel
Locale: An unnamed northern French city
Plot: Detective and mystery
Time: Probably after World War II
Wallas, a detective who arrives in a provincial city in northern France to investigate the latest in a series of political murders. He is large and in his forties, and he has shaved his mustache for this mission. His previous assignment had been the investigation of various theosophical societies. He had applied to the bureau for which he now works and had almost been refused because his forehead measures only forty-nine square centimeters instead of the fifty that the chief, Inspector Fabius, required. He has been given his first solo assignment and is to investigate the murder of Daniel Dupont. During his investigation, he frequently wonders what Fabius would have done, even going so far as to imagine himself to be Fabius. While trying to find a killer, Wallas also keeps trying to find a certain type of eraser he once saw, hence the title of the book.
Inspector Laurent, the man normally in charge of murder investigations in the city. He is not pleased with having his case usurped by an outsider, although he does his best to hide it. The most noticeable physical aspect of Laurent is that he is bald. Even though he does much less field investigation than does Wallas, Laurent figures out the truth of the matter by sheer reasoning ability, just as Inspector Fabius would have.
Daniel Dupont, a fifty-two-year-old, internationally respected university professor. He is the latest target of a gang that is murdering prominent people for unknown reasons. He lived alone, attended only by an elderly female servant. Dupont had no real attachment either to his students or to his wife.
Evelyn Dupont, Daniel's former wife. A buxom, exuberant, Mediterranean-type woman, she is rather out of place in this northern city. She had married Dupont, who was much older than she, out of admiration for him. She could not long endure the isolation in which Dupont lived, however, and left him. According to her, Dupont was incapable of any sort of human attachment. He was completely alone and did not suffer from it. She now runs a stationery store. Wallas meets her by accident when he goes into her store to buy an eraser. Wallas is at first intrigued, then annoyed, by her suggestive laugh.
Garinati, a small man who was charged with the assassination of Dupont. He was given very specific, literally step-by-step, directions on how to proceed with the murder but failed to carry them out. As a result, Dupont was only wounded in the attempt and took refuge with a friend, Dr. Juard. Garinati tries to undo his mistake but cannot.
Dr. Juard and his wife, the owners of an obstetrics and gynecology clinic. Dupont turns to Dr. Juard for medical attention after being wounded by Garinati and asks the doctor to hide him from the gang trying to kill him. Juard assists Dupont even though he is a member of the gang. When Inspector Laurent asks him why Dupont would seek the services of a gynecologist, Juard replies that he is a surgeon and that he treated many such wounds during the war.