Anna of the Five Towns: Analysis of Major Characters
"Anna of the Five Towns: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complexities of key figures in the narrative, particularly focusing on Anna Tellwright, a young woman grappling with emotional deprivation and financial constraints from her childhood. Upon turning twenty-one, Anna inherits a substantial sum of fifty thousand pounds, yet she relinquishes control of this fortune to her father, Ephraim Tellwright, and later to her fiancé, Henry Mynors. Despite being engaged to Henry, who embodies a dominating and business-oriented presence, Anna finds herself in love with Willie Price, a struggling young man whose fate is tragically intertwined with the failures of their families.
Ephraim, a stern and miserly figure, raises his daughters in an environment lacking affection, while Beatrice Sutton, Anna’s friend, introduces her to a more vibrant social life and the idea of enjoying life's pleasures through prudent spending. The narrative also addresses themes of love and loss, as seen in Willie's heartbreaking decision to take his own life after facing the despair of unrequited love and familial disgrace. This exploration of character dynamics highlights the struggles of individuality and emotional connection within the confines of societal expectations and familial obligations.
Anna of the Five Towns: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Arnold Bennett
First published: 1902
Genre: Novel
Locale: The Potteries, England
Plot: Domestic realism
Time: Late nineteenth century
Anna Tellwright, a young woman who is deprived of love and money in her childhood. She inherits fifty thousand pounds from her mother's estate upon reaching twenty-one. The money makes little difference in her life, for she turns it over to her father and, later, her fiancé to manage for her. She discovers that she really loves Willie Price, but she is already engaged to Henry Mynors, and she refuses to break her betrothal.
Henry Mynors, Anna's fiancé. A sound businessman, he knows the value of money. He teaches in the Sunday school, thus acquiring the approval of Anna's father. He dominates Anna as her father does.
Ephraim Tellwright, Anna's father, a wealthy, miserly ex-preacher. A stern Wesleyan, he rears his daughters most frugally. He gives his children little love.
Beatrice Sutton, Anna's friend. She brings Anna into society and shows her that a little money well spent can make life far pleasanter. When Beatrice is seriously ill, Anna nurses her competently and lovingly.
Willie Price, a young man in love with Anna. After his father's business failure, he decides to start afresh in Australia. When he discovers the extent of his love for Anna (and its hopelessness) and also learns that his father was a thief, he commits suicide by throwing himself into the shaft of an abandoned mine.
Agnes Tellwright, Anna's half sister. She is the daughter of Ephraim and his second wife, also dead.
Titus Price, Willie's father and a one-time tenant of Anna. His business fails, and he is proved to be a thief. He hangs himself.
Mrs. Sutton, Beatrice's mother, a social leader.