Decline and Fall: Analysis of Major Characters
"Decline and Fall" is a satirical novel that explores the lives and interactions of a range of eccentric characters, primarily through the eyes of Paul Pennyfeather, an Oxford divinity student whose life takes a series of unexpected turns. Paul is wrongfully dismissed from university and takes a teaching position at an inadequate school in Wales. His engagement to Margot Beste-Chetwynde, the mother of one of his pupils, is complicated when he is arrested and convicted for crimes associated with her illicit activities.
Key characters include Sir Alastair Digby-Vaine-Trumpington, who initiates Paul's troubles with a prank, and Dr. Augustus Fagan, the head of the school who eventually signs off on Paul's death certificate. Margot's son, Peter, and her various family members, such as the opportunistic Captain Grimes and the scheming Fagan daughters, add layers of social satire. As the narrative unfolds, themes of identity, deception, and societal critique emerge, particularly highlighted through characters like the butler Philbrick and the rival Sir Humphrey Maltravers. The novel ultimately reflects on the absurdities of life and the fragility of social status amidst a backdrop of farce and misadventure.
Decline and Fall: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Evelyn Waugh
First published: 1928
Genre: Novel
Locale: England and Wales
Plot: Social satire
Time: Twentieth century
Paul Pennyfeather, an inoffensive divinity student at Oxford University who is wrongly dismissed for indecent exposure after he is made the victim of a prank. He teaches at a school in Wales and is hired as vacation tutor for one of his pupils. He becomes engaged to the boy's mother, Margot Beste-Chetwynde; just before the wedding, however, he is arrested and later is convicted of operating the international white-slave trade she runs. After she has arranged for his successful escape from prison, Paul is officially declared dead. Disguised by a heavy mustache, he returns to his college at Oxford to continue his interrupted study for the Church.
Sir Alastair Digby-Vaine-Trumpington, whose prank results in Paul's dismissal from Oxford. Later, as Paul's former fiancée's boyfriend, he assists in Paul's escape from prison.
Dr. Augustus Fagan, the head of the inadequate Llanabba Castle school where Paul teaches. Fagan forsakes education for medicine and becomes the owner of the nursing home where Paul's death certificate is signed by a drunken doctor.
Peter Beste-Chetwynde, one of Paul's pupils.
Margot Beste-Chetwynde, his mother and Paul's fiancée. Paul is convicted of her crimes. He spends the interval between his prison escape and his return to Oxford resting up at her villa on Corfu.
Mr. Prendergast, a master at Llanabba Castle school. Later he turns up as chaplain at Blackstone Gaol, where Paul is a prisoner. Prendergast is killed by a crazed inmate.
Captain Grimes, a scoundrel who is periodically in difficulties. To get out of trouble, he marries one of Fagan's daughters and later fakes a drowning. He appears as Paul's fellow prisoner. He is subsequently believed to have perished in the swamp while trying to escape, but Paul believes that the escape was successful.
Arthur Potts, whom Paul knew at Oxford. Working for the League of Nations, he shows an interest in Margot's business affairs. He is chief witness for the prosecution at Paul's trial.
Flossie Fagan, one of Fagan's daughters, a vulgar young woman who wants to be married and is consequently useful to Grimes in getting out of trouble.
Diana Fagan, another of Fagan's daughters, who economizes in sugar and soap.
Philbrick, the butler at Llanabba Castle and a confidence man. He tells varying stories about himself, claiming, among other things, that he is really Sir Solomon Philbrick, a millionaire shipowner. He flees Llanabba as he is about to be arrested on charges of false pretenses. At Blackstone Gaol, Paul finds Philbrick employed as a trusty.
Lord Tangent, a pupil at Llanabba. Acting as starter during an annual field sports meet, Prendergast accidentally shoots Lord Tangent in the heel. Lord Tangent dies of the infection.
Lady Circumference, Lord Tangent's rude mother.
Lord Pastmaster, Margot's impoverished brother-in-law, from whom she buys her country house, King's Thursday.
Otto Silenus, an eccentric designer who changes King's Thursday from the finest example of Tudor domestic architecture in England into a structure of concrete, glass, and aluminum.
Sir Humphrey Maltravers, minister of Transport; later Lord Metroland and the home secretary. He is Paul's rival for Margot's hand. First refused because Margot's son Peter prefers Paul, he is accepted after Paul's conviction. He is involved in the arranging of Paul's escape from prison.