Giles Goat-Boy: Analysis of Major Characters
"Giles Goat-Boy" is a novel that explores the journey of George Giles, also known as Goat-Boy or Billy Bocksfuss, as he navigates his identity and purpose while attending New Tammany College. George, who initially believes he is a goat, discovers the complexities of human behavior and relationships over the course of his life, which spans from adolescence to his thirty-third year. His quest for self-acceptance and maturation includes learning to walk upright, managing his impulses, and distinguishing between right and wrong in a morally ambiguous environment.
Key characters include Max Spielman, George's mentor, who grapples with the consequences of his scientific inventions, and Anastasia Stoker, George's love interest, who teaches him about true love while also being caught in her own tangled relationships. Other notable figures include Maurice Stoker, who embodies flawed behavior, and Leonid Alexandrov, a Russian defector with a deep longing for familial love. The narrative also features Harold Bray, a false Grand Tutor, and various supporting characters who contribute to George's understanding of societal norms and personal morality. Overall, "Giles Goat-Boy" presents a rich tapestry of character interactions and philosophical themes as George strives to fulfill his destiny.
Giles Goat-Boy: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Barth
First published: 1966
Genre: Novel
Locale: New Tammany College
Plot: Fantasy
Time: Not given; resembles the 1960's
George Giles, known as Goat-Boy and Billy Bocksfuss, a young man seeking his identity and vocation at New Tammany College. At first, George believes he is a kid and that his name is Billy Bocksfuss. George was conceived by a mating between the artificial intelligence running the East and West Campuses and a human female. The book covers his life from adolescence to his thirty-third year, during which time he learns that he is not a goat, learns to walk erect (with a stick because he is lame when not on all fours), learns to control his sexual impulses (relative to goat standards), and learns that it is difficult to distinguish between saintly and sinful (Passed and Flunked) behavior. The vocation he chooses is that of hero. His adventures, sexual and otherwise, surround his quest to become a Candidate for Graduation, to become a Graduate, and to demonstrate that he is a true Grand Tutor, or great teacher. He must also determine his true and proper relationship to Anastasia Stoker, or Stacey, with whom he falls in love as soon as he approaches the campus. After several near lynchings, George becomes accepted by a small number of disciples, but he leaves a document saying that he expects to have been consumed by lightning at the age of thirty-three and a third, hung (ritually and by his own choice) on an old oak tree. A postscript, supposedly questioning the validity of that document, says he simply disappeared.
Max Spielman, the Goat-Boy's Moishian (Jewish) keeper and adviser. He is a scientist who discovered EAT (Electroencephalic Amplification and Transmission), which is used to attack political or philosophical opponents by destroying their minds. He used the process during a time of crisis (Campus Riot II) and throughout the time of the story is torn with remorse. Having ensured George's entry to the Campus, he allows himself to be falsely arrested and executed. George reveres Max as a foster father as well as a moral and intellectual guide.
Anastasia (Stacey) Stoker, the adopted daughter of Virginia Hector (also known as Lady Creamhair), the real mother of George. She sexually provokes George Giles as he enters the campus, though she claims to have been helping to subdue Croaker, a Frumentian (or African) exchange student. Anastasia is unable to refuse her body as a source of consolation to anyone desiring it. She and George learn the nature of true love, and she bears his child.
Maurice Stoker, the husband of Anastasia Stoker and half brother of Chancellor Lucky Rexford. He is head of Main Detention and the Power House. He represents a model of Flunked behavior in small matters (farting) as well as large (hosting orgies and encouraging his wife in promiscuous behavior). He is temporarily converted to Passed behavior, but George finds him more charming in his natural mode.
Peter Greene, a capitalistic Huck Finn, good old boy patriot, and family man. He is a devoted admirer of Anastasia who talks about and endures a series of difficulties related to his sexual potency. He champions the Goat-Boy's enemy, Harold Bray, a false Grand Tutor, but maintains his naïve good nature and is a friend to George throughout.
Leonid Alexandrov, a Nikolayan (Russian) defector. He has the power to unlock anything, and his personality is filled with love; his father, Classmate X (Chementinski), turns out to be Max's compatriot. Leonid's mission is to earn his father's love at any cost, but he is also a great friend to Max and George.
Virginia Hector, also known as Lady Creamhair, George's mother, who unintentionally arouses him while teaching him that he is a human. It is later that he discovers that she is his mother and not Anastasia's. She was inseminated by the West Campus Automatic Computer (WESCAC) with the Grand-Tutorial Ideal, Laboratory Eugenical Specimen (GILES).
Dr. Eierkopf, a scientist who created George, in the sense that he was in charge of the Cum Laude project that developed the GILES. He serves during the story to control Croaker mentally as Croaker provides for him physically. Eierkopf is continually doing research on eggs.
Harold Bray, the false Grand Tutor. He continually succeeds in convincing the majority of West Campus that he is the Grand Tutor. At the time of Max's shafting (execution), he reveals himself as a horrible, green phallus.
G. Herrold, Croaker, and O. B. G.'s daughter, three black characters. They provide sexual or other assistance to George; to the impotent scientist, Dr. Eierkopf; and to Peter Greene, respectively. G. Herrold and Croaker sacrifice themselves. G. Herrold is the one who saved the Goat-Boy from WESCAC, at the cost of his own sanity, though not of his sexuality. Croaker carries George and Eier-kopf on his shoulders, the only way in which he remains tame. O. B. G.'s daughter is considered by Peter Greene to be an inveterate tease.
Kennard Sear, Hedwig Sear, Lucky Rexford, Reginald Hector, and Ira Hector, each of whom represents a philosophical, political, and personality type significant in George's growth and experience.
Mary Appenzeller, Redfearn's Tommy, Hedda-of-the-Speckled-Teats, Brickett Ranunculus, and Triple T., all goats, who serve as Billy Bocksfuss' friends and family.