Sybil: Or, The Two Nations: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: Benjamin Disraeli

First published: 1845

Genre: Novel

Locale: London and northern England

Plot: Political realism

Time: 1837–1843

Sybil Gerard, who was brought up at Mowbray Convent. She has been imbued with a deep sense of the deprivations of the Catholic church and of the people by the English aristocracy. She wishes to become a nun and is already engaged in charitable works among the needy inhabitants of Mowbray. She is very close to her father, accompanying him to London for the presentation of the Charter and ministering to him daily during his imprisonment. She has accepted his political idealism, but in her conversations with Egremont and in the failure of Chartism, she comes to realize that some of his beliefs are not based on any real experience. After refusing both Egremont and Morley, she finally accepts the active life and marries Egremont. Benjamin Disraeli portrays her as innately aristocratic, striking, and with a beautiful singing voice and an ability to articulate her ideas forcefully. She delivers several significant speeches. She is capable of considerable physical bravery. She proves herself worthy of reclaiming her rightful title.

Egremont (eh-greh-mohn), a younger son. As such, he will not inherit the family estate and needs to find a suitable profession. It is almost by default and certainly by family influence that he becomes a member of Parliament. From his first meeting with the Gerards, a process of political education begins, partly inspired by his growing love for Sybil. Socially, the match would be a disaster: He needs to marry a rich heiress to cover his expenses and maintain his status. Even though he is rejected by Sybil, he speaks in Parliament for receiving the Chartists, though he sees the limitations in Chartism and Morley's radicalism. In the end, he represents the forces of law and order against the disorder of the masses, and it is this that wins Sybil. His brother's death leads to the title: His marriage to Sybil combines his nation with hers. Symbolically, theirs is a marriage of industry and property, of aristocracy and the people, bypassing the capitalism of the middle class.

Walter Gerard, the overseer at Mr. Trafford's factory and, like Trafford, a Catholic. He is a claimant to the Mowbray estates. His energies are of an idealistic nature, channeled into Chartism. He is a popular and respected leader of the workers of Mowbray, a good father to Sybil, and mentor to Egremont. The failure of Chartism saddens but does not break him. His violent death comes as a shock.

Stephen Morley, a radical extremist, editor of a Mowbray newspaper. He rejects tradition, wanting revolution, but goes along with Chartism, partly because of his love for Sybil. At the end, his pacifist views are discredited and he is shot while rifling Mowbray Castle for the Gerard documents.

Lady Deloraine, a typical society aristocrat. Her hobby lies in influencing political decision making. It is her influence that starts Egremont on his political career.

Baptist Hatton, a skilled antiquarian and middleman to titles and estates. He moves discreetly in high society, in contrast to his plebeian brother. Both enjoy the power and prestige they attract.

Devilsdust, who represents the people in their poverty. He is a survivor, able to enjoy life. Given an opportunity, he is capable of doing well and improving himself.