Keep the Aspidistra Flying: Analysis of Major Characters
"Keep the Aspidistra Flying" is a novel by George Orwell that centers around Gordon Comstock, a poet and bookseller who grapples with poverty and societal expectations. As he approaches his thirtieth birthday, Gordon's disdain for the commercial world, especially epitomized by his refusal to work for an advertising agency, leads him to a life of financial struggle. His relationships are significantly affected by his conflict with financial stability; he feels alienated from his wealthier friend, Philip Ravelston, and his girlfriend, Rosemary Waterlow, who becomes pregnant, prompting a shift in Gordon’s rebellious ideals. Rosemary, a commercial artist, supports Gordon despite his constant complaints, illustrating the tension between love and financial insecurity. Other key characters include Julia Comstock, Gordon’s sister, whose own sacrifices heighten the familial conflict, and Mr. Erskine, the managing director interested in Gordon's literary talents. The novel explores themes of class struggle, artistic integrity, and the societal pressures that challenge personal freedom, offering a critique of materialism while providing a portrait of its impact on individual lives.
Keep the Aspidistra Flying: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George Orwell
First published: 1936
Genre: Novel
Locale: London, England
Plot: Social realism
Time: The 1930's
Gordon Comstock, a poet, bookseller, and writer of advertising copy who turns thirty in the course of the novel. A pale, thin man with mouse-colored, unkempt hair, he is the last male of the Comstock line, and as such he is obsessed with poverty, sterility, and decline. As a revolt against the “money-god,” Gordon refuses to work for an advertising agency and instead works in bookshops, where the pay is low. His friendship with Ravelston suffers because Ravelston has more money than Gordon, and his relationship with Rosemary is hindered by Gordon's agitation concerning his poverty. He has published a short volume of poems titled Mice but is frustrated in his attempt to complete London Pleasures, the manuscript of which he finally tosses into the sewer.
Rosemary Waterlow, Gordon's girlfriend, a commercial artist who works for the New Albion advertising agency. She cares for Gordon and is kind to him, even though he mostly complains. When he pressures her to sleep with him, she agrees. When she becomes pregnant, Gordon must give up his revolt, marry Rosemary, and work for New Albion.
Philip W. H. Ravelston, the editor of the Marxist journal Antichrist, a friend of Gordon. He occasionally gets Gordon books to review and prints Gordon's poems in his journal. Ravelston frequently offers to loan money to Gordon—in actuality, offering a gift—but Gordon refuses as long as he can. After getting arrested for making a drunken scene, Gordon must accept Ravelston's money. Only Ravelston attends Rosemary and Gordon's wedding.
Julia Comstock, Gordon's older sister, who cannot afford to marry and will therefore become a spinster. Her future was sacrificed so that Gordon could stay in school, which makes Gordon's refusal to get a “good” job all the more irritating to his family.
Mr. Erskine, a large, slow man who, as managing director of New Albion, takes an interest in Gordon's literary abilities.
Mr. McKechnie, a dilapidated but benign Scottish bookseller. Ravelston gets Gordon a job in McKechnie's shop when Gordon refuses to work for the advertising firm.
Mr. Cheeseman, a short and parsimonious bookseller in need of an assistant. After Gordon disgraces himself by getting arrested for drunkenness, he goes to work for Mr. Cheeseman.
Mrs. Wisbeach, Gordon's landlady until the time of his arrest. She is careful to see that no one cooks in the room or brings in guests of the opposite sex.
Mrs. Meakin, also called Mother Meakin, Gordon's landlady after his arrest. She is not at all concerned with what tenants do in their rooms. Gordon's second apartment is a class below his first, and Ravelston is uncomfortable visiting him there.
Flaxman, a heavy, gregarious man who lives at Mrs. Wisbeach's house. He often asks Gordon to the pub, but Gordon never has enough money to buy a round of drinks and so will not go.
Lorenheim, also a tenant at Mrs. Wisbeach's house. Lorenheim is so lonely that he hungers for any company; Gordon tiptoes when he passes Lorenheim's door.