The Blind Assassin: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Blind Assassin: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the intricate lives of several key figures in Margaret Atwood's novel, exploring their complexities and relationships. Central to the narrative is Iris Chase Griffen, a woman shaped by her family's dwindling fortune and her struggles within a loveless marriage to Richard Griffen. Iris's protective nature towards her younger sister Laura drives much of the story, especially as Laura's tragic fate unfolds after a turbulent romance with the drifter Alex Thomas. Laura's character is marked by her literal interpretation of the world and her eventual despair, which culminates in her untimely death.
Richard Griffen, a wealthy but morally ambiguous figure, is suspected of foul play following his death, particularly in light of Laura's posthumously published work, which reveals family secrets. The dynamics are further complicated by the presence of Winifred, Richard’s sister, who embodies societal expectations and familial duty. Iris's daughter Aimee and granddaughter Sabrina add generational depth to the narrative, reflecting the ongoing impact of familial relationships and legacies. This layered character analysis highlights themes of love, betrayal, and the quest for identity within the constraints of societal norms.
The Blind Assassin: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Margaret Eleanor Atwood
First published: 2000
Genre: Novel
Locale: Port Ticonderoga, Ontario, Canada
Time: 1900s
Iris Chase Griffen, a blond heir to the Chase Button Factory fortune who lives in Port Ticonderoga, Ontario. She always tries to do what is expected of her and takes care of her sister, Laura. The family's fortunes fall after World War I, and her father persuades her to marry Richard Griffen, the president of Royal Classic Knitwear in Toronto, in order to guarantee their financial stability. It is a loveless marriage, and Iris suspects Richard of cheating on her. She cheats on him with Alex Thomas. After Laura's death, Iris finds Laura's confession that Richard had taken advantage of her and impregnated her. Outraged, Iris leaves Richard and takes her daughter Aimee with her. However, Richard's sister, Winifred, takes Aimee away. Iris publishes a novel called The Blind Assassin under Laura's name to reveal Richard's treachery. Richard is found dead soon after the book is published. Much later, an eighty-three-year-old Iris writes her memoir for her granddaughter Sabrina.
Laura Chase, Iris's blond and solemn sister who often takes people very literally. She falls for the orphan Alex Thomas and invites him to dinner at her family's mansion despite their misgivings about his status. When Iris marries Richard, Laura is devastated and runs away to work at an amusement park. However, Richard pays to have that incident covered up. He and Dr. Gerald P. Witherspoon have her committed to BellaVista Sanctuary, from which she later escapes. She is popularly known as the author of The Blind Assassin, which is supposedly an account of her affair with Alex. Heartbroken after Alex's death, Laura steals Iris's car and drives off a bridge, dying at twenty-five years old.
Richard E. Griffen, the tall, sleek, and newly rich president of Royal Classic Knitwear. He dies in 1947, officially of a cerebral hemorrhage, but his sister, Winifred, and wife, Iris, suspect that he killed himself after reading The Blind Assassin.
Winifred Griffen Prior, Richard's slender, large-eyed sister who always wears pinkish-orange lipstick and constantly tries to establish better, richer connections. She is married to a man who is never home. She is one of the top society ladies in Port Ticonderoga and takes over much of the household planning that should have been Iris's job. Winifred cannot forgive Iris for leaving Richard and takes custody of first her daughter, Aimee, and later her granddaughter, Sabrina. She dies in 1998 after a long illness.
Alex Thomas, a drifter and an orphan whom Iris and Laura meet at the annual button factory picnic. Alex is suspected of burning down the Chase Button Factory and killing the night watchman, so he lives a peripatetic life. Iris reveals that Alex is the man in The Blind Assassin and that she was having an affair with him while she was married to Richard. He is also the author of the science fiction story that appears in The Blind Assassin. Alex dies in World War II.
Captain Norval Chase, Iris and Laura's father who has a bad leg, one missing eye, and a large moustache. He is injured several times during World War I. When both of his brothers, Percival and Edgar, die in the war, Norval returns to Port Ticonderoga, where he reluctantly takes over the Chase Button Factory. Unhappy with his life, he cheats on his wife, Liliana, and takes up drinking. After Liliana dies and the factory falls on hard times, he persuades Iris to marry Richard Griffen to bolster the family's finances. He drinks himself to death while Iris is away on her honeymoon.
Reenie, the housekeeper for the Chase household who helped raise Iris and Laura. After Iris marries Richard, he fires Reenie without telling Iris. Reenie gets a job at Betty's Luncheonette and marries Rob Hincks. She dies of kidney failure shortly after Iris leaves Richard.
Aimee Adelia Griffen, Iris's daughter. She resents Iris for taking her away from her father, Richard. After being raised by Winifred, she takes her considerable trust-fund money and uses it on drugs and alcohol. She has a daughter, Sabrina, but does not know who the father is. Aimee dies from a fall down a flight of stairs when Sabrina is four years old.
Sabrina Griffen, Aimee's dark-haired daughter, who was raised by Winifred after Aimee's death. Iris followed her for a while, trying to check up on her without revealing that she is Sabrina's grandmother, but Sabrina went abroad and Iris has not seen her since. Iris writes her memoir for Sabrina to read.
Callista “Callie” Fitzsimmons, a red-headed artist and Norval's girlfriend. She eventually leaves him. Laura discovers that Callie is the one who told Richard where Alex was hiding and put him in danger.
Elwood R. Murray, a newspaper photographer who takes a picture of Iris and Laura talking to Alex Thomas that their father considers scandalous. Later, Laura works for him briefly in order to steal back the negative of the photo.
Myra Sturgess, Reenie's daughter and Iris's caretaker in her old age. She works at a knickknack shop called the Gingerbread House.
Walter Sturgess, Myra's large, sturdy husband, who acts as Iris's handyman and enjoys fixing things.
Benjamin Chase, Iris and Laura's grandfather who built the family fortune through the Chase Button Factory.
Adelia Montfort Chase, Iris and Laura's grandmother who dies of cancer in 1913.
Liliana Chase, Iris and Laura's mother, who is weakened by Laura's birth and dies in 1925 giving birth to a stillborn child.
Violet Goreham, “Miss Violence,” one of Iris and Laura's tutors.
Mr. Erskine, one of Iris and Laura's tutors who is dismissed when pornographic photos are found in his room.