Jill: Analysis of Major Characters
"Jill: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate dynamics among a cast of characters centered around John Kemp, an insecure and self-conscious eighteen-year-old student at the University of Oxford. Kemp, hailing from a working-class background, grapples with social anxiety and a desire to fit in, which leads him to create an imaginary sister named Jill as a coping mechanism. This fantasy allows him to navigate his surroundings, though his encounter with the real Gillian, who embodies traits of his imagined sister, ultimately ends in disappointment.
The character of Christopher Warner, Kemp's brash and manipulative roommate, contrasts sharply with Kemp's timid nature, exemplifying the social divide and pressures within their academic environment. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Dowling, Warner's girlfriend, and Whitbread, a fellow student, reflect varying attitudes towards class and social interactions, adding complexity to Kemp's experiences. Other characters, such as Joseph Crouch, an English master, and Joe Kemp, John’s father, provide additional layers of context regarding Kemp's upbringing and aspirations. This analysis delves into themes of identity, class struggle, and the impact of social dynamics on personal relationships, making it a rich exploration of character development and interpersonal conflict.
Jill: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Philip Larkin
First published: 1946; revised, 1964
Genre: Novel
Locale: Oxford, England
Plot: Bildungsroman
Time: The Michaelmas term at the University of Oxford, 1940
John Kemp, an undersized eighteen-year-old student at the University of Oxford. Kemp is physically undistinguished except for his silky hair. Kemp begins his career as an undergraduate reading English but is self-conscious and shy. Pressuredintotestingearlyforascholarship, he is frightened and insecure about leaving his working-class home of Huddlesford in northern England. His isolation is intensified when he meets his roommate, Christopher Warner, a crass and worldly public school graduate. Afraid of having no companions, Kemp attempts to imitate students from a higher social class, but his repeated social failures prompt Kemp to become a fantasizer. He creates Jill, an imaginary sister, and embellishes a fantasy life for her until he meets a young woman who appears to be the actual Jill. His pursuit of the real girl ends in disaster when he drunkenly attempts to kiss her and is dunked in a school fountain. Kemp ends the semester in the college infirmary, sick with pneumonia and accepting the death of his love for Jill.
Christopher Warner, Kemp's brash rugby-playing roommate. Taller and stronger than Kemp, Warner is a drinker and a womanizer who manipulates his friends and borrows their possessions. He selfishly breaks open a case of Kemp's tea china before Kemp arrives and in a later episode asks Kemp to leave the room so that he can seduce Elizabeth Dowling.
Elizabeth Dowling, Warner's broad-shouldered girlfriend. Her hair is brushed up from the sides of her head and resembles a helmet. Hypocritical and condescending to Kemp, she falsely flatters him when he sports an unattractive blue bow tie with white dots.
Whitbread, another northern scholar like Kemp. Physically repulsive, Whitbread has a pale, stubbly head and wears steel-rimmed spectacles. Imbued with a feeling of superiority to Warner and his crowd, Whitbread has been scorned by his two older brothers (both electrical engineers) for trying to rise above his class. Kemp, too, comes to dislike Whitbread's snobbishness. He steals Whitbread's cake to serve to Gillian and puts tea and sugar in Whitbread's pockets.
Joseph Crouch, an English master at Huddlesford Grammar School. Not good looking, Crouch is short, with yellowish skin, and wears thick eyeglasses. A dull but dedicated teacher, Crouch makes Kemp his special project for a scholarship. Crouch eventually marries and turns his back on learning. When his school is bombed, he plans to join the Royal Air Force.
Jill, an imaginary girl invented by Kemp. Because her creation was an impromptu one to enable Kemp to capture Warner's attention, he first refers to Jill as his sister, then as a friend, and changes her last name to Bradley. He imagines her to be a clever fifteen-year-old student at Willow Gables School and keeps a diary for her. Kemp even sends her letters and writes a short story in her name.
Gillian, Elizabeth's cousin, who embodies the characteristics of Jill: innocent, with high cheekbones, honey-colored hair, small bony hands, and a serious face. Kemp first sees her in a bookstore and becomes obsessed with meeting her. Although Gillian accepts Kemp's invitation to come to his room for tea, she is not eager for Kemp's friendship because she is staying with her aunt Charlotte while her mother recuperates from an illness. She sends Elizabeth to cancel the appointment.
Mrs. Warner, Christopher Warner's mother. Fond of bridge and golf, she is a former actress who drives a sports car. A stylish, fashionable dresser, she possesses the same broad forehead and jaw as does Christopher and wears her dark hair drawn down to her neck. Kemp finds her quite attractive.
Semple, a student who spends much of his time trying to get others to join the Oxford Union. When Warner topples Semple's cabinet in an attempt to steal food from him, the two struggle. Warner hits him in the eye and is fined three pounds. In retaliation, Warner's friends crucify Semple on the university lawn by pinning him down with croquet hoops over his wrists, ankles, and neck.
Eddy Makepeace, one of Warner's rowdy friends. Eddy was Warner's classmate at Lamprey School, and his father was an official in India.
Joe Kemp, John's father. A retired policeman, he works as a carpenter. He has an enormous body and small head. He goes to visit John in the infirmary in repayment for his son's trip to Huddlesford after it is bombed.
Jack, the scout. Jack's job is to clean the dormitory rooms.
Herbert, a porter at Oxford. A fierce, small man with ginger whiskers, Herbert continues to wear his regimental tie.