The Fisher King: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Fisher King: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and dynamics among a small group of passengers aboard the liner Alecto, featuring characters who reflect themes from the Arthurian legend. Saul Henchman, a World War II veteran and society photographer, is at the center of this narrative, embodying traits akin to the Fisher King—wounded, frail, and emotionally neglected by those around him. His assistant, Barberina Rookwood, sacrifices her ballet career to support him but ultimately finds herself enamored with the ailing Robin Jilson, another passenger, illustrating her inclination to nurture the helpless. Meanwhile, Valentine Beals, a writer, becomes obsessed with Henchman and his connections to the Fisher King legend, contrasting with Gary Lamont, a press tycoon whose crude advances toward Barberina reveal his desperation for control. Dr. Lorna Tiptoft, another passenger, takes a domineering approach to Jilson, further complicating the relationships. The interplay of these characters highlights themes of indifference, obsession, and emotional dependency, inviting readers to reflect on the connections and disconnections among them.
The Fisher King: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Anthony Powell
First published: 1986
Genre: Novel
Locale: On board the Alecto, near the British Isles
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: The 1980's
Saul Henchman, a society photographer. Wounded in World War II, Henchman is short and frail, and he requires crutches. He and his assistant, Barberina Rookwood, join a cruise around Great Britain on the liner Alecto. Among the small circle of passengers, he is the subject of gossip and speculation, chiefly concerning his relations with the beautiful Barberina. Valentine Beals, one of the circle, tries to associate Henchman with the Arthurian legend of the Fisher King. The Fisher King was a king wounded in battle and unable to do anything other than fish; spied by the knight Percival, he was invited to join the knight in his castle. At a banquet, a spear and a cup were brought to the table by a page and a maiden. If Percival had asked what these objects meant, the Fisher King would have been healed, but he did not, showing indifference to their appearance. Henchman proves to be like the Fisher King, in that the indifference to his feelings by others causes him to lose Barberina.
Barberina Rookwood, Henchman's assistant, in her early twenties. Barberina gave up a promising ballet career to care for Henchman, whom she believes to be a genius. Her beauty attracts many admirers on the Alecto, the most ardent of whom is Gary Lamont, a press tycoon. Less imposing is the frail Robin Jilson. Although Lamont is very pressing, Rookwood has little respect for him and instead falls in love with the helpless Jilson.
Valentine Beals, a writer of historical romances. Formerly an employee at a whiskey distillery, he has found success writing popular novels. Fascinated by Henchman, he associates him with the Fisher King legend. He follows Henchman and Rookwood around, becoming obsessed with their lives, to the extreme boredom of his wife, Louise. Beals is the only passenger on the Alecto who even approaches friendship with Henchman.
Gary Lamont, an up-and-coming newspaper tycoon possessed by a need to exert his will. Short and leathery looking, he falls in love with Barberina and attempts to seduce her. He is unattractive and is crude in his advances. Although he fails with Barberina, his consolation is that his empire grows during the voyage.
Dr. Lorna Tiptoft, a doctor and the daughter of Sir Dixon and Lady Tiptoft, passengers on the cruise. She is plain and humorless, and Beals associates her with another character from the legend, the Loathly Lady, who chides Percival for not asking about the spear and the cup. She takes young Jilson under her wing and cares for him in a domineering way.
Robin Jilson, an ailing young man for whom Barberina Rookwood feels pity and whom she seeks to help. She falls in love with him, primarily because he draws on her need to care for helpless men, and she loses her interest in Henchman. Eventually, Jilson is taken over by Lorna Tiptoft.
Mr. Jack, a melancholy drunkard who is a fixture in the ship's bar. Known by no other name, Mr. Jack looks like an overgrown schoolboy, though he is clearly at least in his seventies. Untidy, he has seen better days, yet he has a certain faded panache. In the end, Henchman finds him a suitable replacement for Barberina.