Excellent Women: Analysis of Major Characters
"Excellent Women" is a novel that explores the lives and dynamics of several key characters within a British community, centered around the experiences of Mildred Lathbury, the protagonist. Mildred, a witty and observant woman in her early thirties, navigates her role as a devoted member of St. Mary’s Anglo-Catholic Church, where she aids impoverished gentlewomen. The narrative showcases her mild romantic interests and her interactions with various characters, including the vain Reverend Julian Malory, who is ensnared by his own devotion to church traditions and later engages with the alluring Allegra Gray.
Julian’s sister, Winifred, embodies emotional neediness and remains tethered to her brother while facing challenges posed by Allegra’s assertiveness. Rocky Napier, a charming neighbor, complicates Mildred’s life as he leans on her for support during a marital separation. The novel also introduces other supporting characters, such as Helena Napier, Rocky's neglectful wife, and Everard Bone, who reflects a type of male expectation toward women. This intricate web of relationships highlights the theme of women’s roles in society, particularly those of unmarried women who contribute to community cohesion while often being overlooked in terms of their own romantic aspirations. The narrative provides a nuanced look at the societal expectations of women in mid-20th century Britain, making it a relevant exploration of gender roles and interpersonal dynamics.
Excellent Women: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Barbara Pym
First published: 1952
Genre: Novel
Locale: Indeterminate
Plot: Social
Time: The late 1940's
Mildred Lathbury, the protagonist and narrator, the daughter of a deceased clergyman. She works part-time for an organization that aids impoverished gentlewomen. A pleasant-looking, quiet woman in her early thirties, Mildred is one of the “excellent women” actively performing good works at St. Mary's Anglo-Catholic Church in London. She is very witty and shrewd, although both of these traits are evinced primarily through interior soliloquies and seldom show in her exterior manner toward others. Mildred has a mild romantic interest in Julian Malory, whose vanities and foibles she readily recognizes, and briefly develops an interest in Rocky Napier. Mildred embodies the excellent traits of unmarried women of a certain age who provide cohesion to churches and other small British communities while making clever observations on the banalities of these groups.
The Reverend Julian Malory, the forty-year-old rector of St. Mary's Church. A tall, ascetically handsome, vain man, Malory lives with his unmarried sister Winifred and delights in the affection and services proffered by the women of his parish. His devotion to high church frills and the Boys' Club shields him from complex interaction with women until he is smitten by love for Allegra Gray. Their engagement is broken off when Allegra tries to evict Winifred from his house, thereby causing Malory to retreat to his snug world of celibacy and incense.
Winifred Malory, a drab, forty-two-year-old unmarried woman who makes a home for her brother, Julian. A friend of Mildred, she is emotionally needy and becomes the victim of Allegra Gray's machinations before returning to the status quo with her brother at the end of the novel.
Allegra Gray, an attractive clergyman's widow in her mid-thirties who becomes Julian Malory's fiancée. Allegra attempts to detach Julian from his sister and an adoring throng of excellent women but finally gives up the unequal struggle and leaves the area.
Rockingham (Rocky) Napier, a demobilized naval officer and neighbor of Mildred Lathbury, living in the flat below hers. When his wife, Helena, leaves him temporarily, Rocky uses his facile charm to coax Mildred into helping him with household chores. Like Julian, Rocky is accustomed to collecting goods and services from women.
Helena Napier, an anthropologist and Rocky's wife. A slovenly and heedless, though pleasant, woman, Helena is devoted to her obscure anthropological studies and provides quite a contrast to her more social and dapper husband.
Everard Bone, an anthropologist, a colleague of Helena who evinces some interest in Mildred. A handsome, clever man of little warmth, Everard is seen by Mildred as similar to clerical types such as Julian, who expect female adulation as their due and give little in return. Mildred is not taken with Everard, although Helena is for a short period of time.
Esther Clovis, an administrative assistant for the learned society with which Helena Napier and Everard Bone are associated. A thin, middle-aged, colorless, and efficient woman, Esther is yet another excellent woman on whom men depend for assistance but not romance.
Dora Caldicote, a teacher and Mildred's good friend from their school days. Dora and Mildred's trip to their school reunion introduces the reader to the breeding ground of the excellent woman, the British girls' school.