Anthony Adverse: Analysis of Major Characters
"Anthony Adverse" is a historical novel that follows the life of its titular character, Anthony, an illegitimate son who embarks on a series of adventurous and tumultuous experiences across various locations, including Africa and New Orleans. As he navigates through challenges, he evolves from an apprentice to a slave trader, banker, and plantation owner, reflecting a blend of romanticism and action. The novel also presents a cast of significant characters, including Don Luis, Anthony's mother Maria, and John Bonnyfeather, each playing pivotal roles in shaping his destiny. Don Luis, the antagonist and husband of Maria, is a character marked by arrogance and a tragic end. The relationships Anthony cultivates, including those with Faith Paleologus, his housekeeper, and various romantic interests like Angela Guiseppe and Dolores de la Fuente, further illustrate the complexities of his life. Themes of legacy, betrayal, and the quest for identity permeate the narrative, as characters navigate their respective fates against a backdrop of social and historical intricacies. This multifaceted exploration of character dynamics invites readers to engage with the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in a rapidly changing world.
Anthony Adverse: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Hervey Allen
First published: 1933
Genre: Novel
Locale: Western Europe, Africa, and North America
Plot: Picaresque
Time: Late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries
Anthony Adverse, the illegitimate son of Denis Moore and Maria; grandson and heir of John Bonnyfeather, under whom he serves as an apprentice. Anthony becomes a slave trader in Africa and a banker, businessman, and plantation owner in New Orleans. Successively captured by Indians and by soldiers, he is imprisoned in Mexico and later bleeds to death after an accident there. Anthony is more a romantic, daring man of action than an intellectual. In the variety of his adventures, he resembles the heroes of picaresque fiction, but he has neither their low-caste background nor their roguish character.
Don Luis (lew-EES), the Marquis da Vincitata (veen-seeTAH-tah), the arrogant husband of Anthony's mother and landlord of Casa Bonnyfeather. He fails in an attempt to murder Anthony and Vincent Nolte. Later governor at Santa Fe, Don Luis dies of a stroke after sentencing Anthony to prison.
Maria Bonnyfeather, daughter of John Bonnyfeather, mother of Anthony, and wife of Don Luis. She dies in childbirth.
John Bonnyfeather (secretly the Jacobite Marquis of Aberfoyle), Anthony's grandfather, a prominent merchant of Leghorn.
Faith Paleologus (pah-leh-oh-LOH-gews), Mr. Bonnyfeather's lustful housekeeper, who seduces young Anthony. She becomes Don Luis' mistress and afterward his wife.
Angela Guiseppe (jew-SEHP-peh), Faith's daughter and Anthony's mistress and mother of his son. She is later a mistress to Napoleon.
Florence Udney, Anthony's first wife. She is burned to death with Maria, her young daughter by Anthony.
Dolores de la Fuente (FWEHN-teh), Anthony's second wife, a relative of Don Luis de la Casas. She bears Anthony two children.
Vincent Nolte (NOHL-teh), Anthony's friend, a banker.
Sandy McNab, Mr. Bonnyfeather's chief clerk.
Denis Moore, an Irish-French nobleman, Maria's gallant lover, who is killed by her husband.
Captain Jorham, skipper of an American ship.
Father Xavier (hah-vee-EHR), a Jesuit priest, Anthony's childhood guardian, who tells him of his origin and of his status as Mr. Bonnyfeather's heir.
Gallego (gah-YEH-goh), a slave trader who owes money to Mr. Bonnyfeather. He dies in Africa.
Don Luis de la Casas (KAH-sahs), captain-general in Havana.
Father François (frahn-SWAH), a compassionate monk shipped from Cuba to Africa for aiding and comforting slaves.
Ferdinando (fehr-dee-NAHN-doh), Gallego's representative in Africa, who is crucified by Mnombibi.
Mnombibi (nahm-BEE-bee), an African witch doctor.
Neleta (neh-LEH-tah), Ferdinando's half-breed sister and Anthony's mistress, whom he deserts.
Captain Bittern, skipper of the “Unicorn.”
M. Ouvrard (oh-VRAHRD), a French financier.
David Parish, husband of Florence Udney, whom Anthony marries after David's death.
Anna Frank, the cousin of Vincent Nolte and guardian of Anthony's son.
Mary Jorham, the young niece of Captain Jorham.