The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare" is a novel by G.K. Chesterton that explores themes of order, chaos, and the nature of identity through a cast of complex characters involved in an anarchist council. Central to the narrative is Lucian Gregory, an aspiring anarchist poet who seeks to be elected as Thursday but faces disappointment. In a twist, Sunday, the enigmatic chairman of the council, is revealed to be a wealthy official from Scotland Yard, working to uncover anarchists while symbolically representing the Christian Sabbath during a party. Gabriel Syme, a poet who values order, becomes the elected Thursday, despite being a police spy. Other significant characters include the dapper Marquis de St. Eustache, who is Wednesday and also a spy, along with Bull and Gogol, both of whom serve as Saturday and Tuesday, respectively, and are undercover agents. Professor de Worms and the Secretary, representing Friday and Monday, complete the council, both ultimately serving in the role of spies for Scotland Yard. The complex interplay of these characters raises questions about loyalty, ideology, and the nature of authority within the context of anarchism.
The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: G. K. Chesterton
First published: 1908
Genre: Novel
Locale: London, England
Plot: Allegory
Time: Early twentieth century
Lucian Gregory, an anarchist and a poet. He hopes to be elected as Thursday on the Central Anarchist Council but is disappointed. In the long run, he turns out to be the only intellectual anarchist.
Sunday, the chairman of the Central Anarchist Council. He turns out to be a wealthy Scotland Yard official in charge of efforts to unearth anarchists. He gives a party on his estate and turns up dressed as a symbol of the Christian Sabbath.
Gabriel Syme, a poet who believes in order. Gregory takes him to the meeting of the Central Anarchist Council. Though he is a police spy, Syme is elected to be Thursday, the post his friend wanted.
The Marquis de St. Eustache, a dapper man who is Wednesday on the Central Anarchist Council. He is sent by the anarchists to kill the czar of Russia and the president of France, but he turns out to be another police spy for Scotland Yard.
Bull, who is Saturday on the Central Anarchist Council and is also a police spy.
Gogol, who is Tuesday on the Central Anarchist Council and is also a police spy.
Professor de Worms, who is Friday on the Central Anarchist Council. He turns out to be a young actor disguised as the professor in order to act as a spy on the anarchists for Scotland Yard.
The Secretary, who is Monday on the Central Anarchist Council. He also is a spy for Scotland Yard.