Death of a Hero: Analysis of Major Characters
"Death of a Hero" explores the lives and complexities of its major characters, centering on George Winterbourne, a young Englishman whose experiences during World War I shape his tragic fate. Struggling with the weight of his family's expectations and his own perceived failures, George embodies the disillusionment of a generation marked by conflict. His wife, Elizabeth Winterbourne, represents the challenges of contemporary relationships; her pursuit of intellectual freedom is complicated by her infidelity and her tumultuous marriage to George. Fanny Welford, Elizabeth's best friend and George's mistress, adds another layer to the narrative with her apathetic demeanor, illustrating the emotional detachment prevalent in their social circle.
George's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Winterbourne, further enrich the story's exploration of familial dynamics. Mr. Winterbourne seeks solace from his own troubled marriage, while Mrs. Winterbourne's pride in her romantic escapades contrasts starkly with her grief when her son is killed. Together, these characters present a nuanced critique of love, loyalty, and the societal pressures that shape individual destinies, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of their intertwined lives.
Death of a Hero: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Richard Aldington
First published: 1929
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Political
Time: World War I
George Winterbourne, a young Englishman for whom the world goes awry. After an unhappy childhood he turns to dabbling in writing, painting, and sex. Becoming an officer in World War I, he finds himself regarded as a failure by his superiors. Discouraged by opinion, as well as by the lives and characters of his father, mother, wife, and mistress, he stands erect during shelling by German guns and is killed.
Elizabeth Winterbourne, young George's promiscuous wife. She is a would-be intellectual who as a young woman is infatuated by the idea of free love. When she thinks she is pregnant, she forces a marriage with George. Although she remains promiscuous afterward, she is angered by her best friend's becoming her husband's mistress.
Fanny Welford, Elizabeth's best friend and George's mistress. A blasé creature, she spends George's last night in England with him, but she is not interested enough to arise from bed, or even awaken fully, when he leaves her the following morning.
Mr. George Winterbourne, young George's father. He marries to escape a domineering mother, only to find that he hates his promiscuous wife. Being a sentimental man, he prays for his wife's soul and awaits her pleasure when sent to a hotel while she entertains one or another of a string of lovers.
Mrs. George Winterbourne, young George's mother. She is an elderly wanton who is proud of having had in her life a series of twenty-two lovers. She lavishes a kind of love upon her son and, when he dies, plays a role as the mother bereft of a hero son.