Crome Yellow: Analysis of Major Characters
"Crome Yellow" is a novel by Aldous Huxley that explores the dynamics of a diverse group of characters during a house party at Crome, an English country estate owned by Henry Wimbush. Wimbush, passionate about Crome's history, often gathers his guests to share his writings, revealing his deep connection to the place. Among the guests is Denis Stone, a young poet symbolizing artistic inadequacy, who is infatuated with Wimbush's niece, Anne. His indecision about proposing to her contrasts with Anne's more accepting view of life, leading to a poignant separation when he fabricates a telegram calling him back to London.
Mr. Scogan represents a rational foil to Stone, with his cold intellect often irking the more sentimental poet. Other notable characters include Mrs. Priscilla Wimbush, who whimsically studies astrology, and Gombauld, an artist drawn to Anne who faces rejection. Jenny Mullion, a perceptive deaf woman, captures the nuances of the group through sketches, while Mary Bracegirdle exhibits anxiety and unfulfilled desires, oscillating between her interests in Stone and Gombauld. Together, these characters illuminate various perspectives on love, ambition, and the complexities of social interaction within the microcosm of Crome.
Crome Yellow: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Aldous Huxley
First published: 1921
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Social satire
Time: The 1920's
Henry Wimbush, the owner of Crome, a country house in England. He is the host for the house party that brings together the unusual group of people who are characters in the novel. Wimbush is so interested in Crome that he has been writing its history for thirty years. He frequently calls his guests together to read to them choice portions of his account.
Denis Stone, a young poet, almost a symbol in the novel for artistic ineffectuality, who loves Anne Wimbush, old Henry's niece. Stone is disturbed by the other guests at the party, particularly by Scogan, a very rational man. Stone's suit is never realized, though Anne has decided she will accept him if he proposes. The indecisive Stone makes one decision in the novel: He arranges to have sent a fake telegram recalling him to London. Ironically, his one decisive action separates him from Anne.
Anne Wimbush, a young woman, four years Stone's senior, who looks on his suit for her affection first with scorn, finally with sympathy. She, unlike Stone, thinks life should be accepted as it unfolds; Stone attempts to carry personally all the troubles of the world on his shoulders.
Mr. Scogan, Stone's opposite. Scogan is rational to the degree that Stone is sentimental. Scogan's cold-blooded intelligence annoys Stone.
Mrs. Priscilla Wimbush, a rather scatterbrained woman, Henry's wife, who studies the stars. She is enthusiastic because she has picked a winner at a horse race with information she divined from the movements of the celestial bodies.
Gombauld, an artist who is invited to Crome to paint Anne's picture. He expresses his love for Anne and is repulsed.
Jenny Mullion, a young deaf woman who makes up for her lack of hearing by observing very accurately the people at the party. She draws sketches of them in a book she carries, and she writes her impressions of life primarily for her own amusement.
Mary Bracegirdle, a woman remembered for her repressions and Freudian dreams. She is anxious most of the time and given to discussing her psychological ills with anyone who will listen. She decides first to pursue Stone and then Gombauld and manages to talk with each man at the wrong time, when he is occupied with other interests. She does attract a painter of ghosts and spirits, Ivor Lombard, but after visiting her once, Lombard leaves Crome and sends her only a postcard with a terse message. She becomes convinced her life is a ruin.