O, How the Wheel Becomes It!: Analysis of Major Characters
"O, How the Wheel Becomes It!" presents a rich exploration of the lives of its major characters, focusing on themes of legacy, reputation, and the complexities of human relationships. At the center is Geoffrey F. H. "Shad" Shadbold, an aging writer struggling with his past and present identity as he grapples with the posthumous revelations of his old friend, Cedric Winterwade. Shadbold's jealousy is ignited when Winterwade's diary, revealing a previously unknown depth and complexity, is brought to light, especially in connection with Isolde Upjohn, a vivacious former model with a morally ambiguous history.
Isolde, now Mrs. Abdullah, is eager to share her memoirs, bringing her lively spirit and unapologetic attitude to the forefront, which further complicates Shadbold's emotional landscape. Meanwhile, Winterwade, though deceased, is portrayed as a more significant figure through the perspectives of others, challenging Shadbold's dismissive views. Supporting characters, such as Prudence Shadbold and Jason Price, add layers to the dynamic, representing different attitudes towards literary fame and personal history.
The narrative intricately weaves together the characters' ambitions, regrets, and insecurities, ultimately highlighting the interplay between public personas and private truths. As Shadbold contemplates his own legacy, the story invites readers to reflect on how the past can reshape present identities and relationships.
O, How the Wheel Becomes It!: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Anthony Powell
First published: 1983
Genre: Novel
Locale: Great Britain
Plot: Satire
Time: The 1980's
Geoffrey F. H. “Shad” Shadbold, a writer in his mid-seventies with a lingering reputation as a literary reviewer and broadcaster. He considers himself a better man of letters than he ever was. His early work as a poet and a minor novelist is almost forgotten. Rather affected in his old age, bearded, long-haired, and given to eccentric garb, he guards his modest fame fiercely and is much disturbed when asked to judge the diary of an old friend, Cedric Winterwade, who died in World War II. The work turns out to be disturbingly good, but Shadbold tells the prospective publisher otherwise, partly out of professional jealousy and partly because the diary reveals that Winterwade, whom Shadbold had patronized as nondescript during their friendship, had been sexually involved with Isolde Upjohn, a pretty model whom Shadbold had pursued in vain. Despite Shadbold's bad report, the diary seems to get a second life when Isolde suddenly appears, eager to publish her memoirs and full of enthusiasm for telling all about the Winterwade escapade. Shadbold, who is bruised professionally and personally—as well as long since inclined to bask lazily in his old reputation—is roused to move quickly to protect his ego.
Isolde Upjohn, who in her youth was a model, pursued by young men of fashion but “kept” by an older man. She suddenly shows up as Mrs. Abdullah, having written her memoirs and ready to publish them. Unashamed of her morally ambiguous past or her four marriages to international men of property, and unaware of how her short affair with Winterwade has upset Shadbold or that he has just learned of it, she is enthusiastic about revealing all about her lively past and wants Shadbold to help her. Despite her age, she is still an energetic, attractive woman.
Cedric Winterwade, a now-deceased man who had been at school and university with Shadbold and had become a stockbroker. He published one novel, but Shadbold had little regard for it or for Winterwade. His diary, and Isolde UpJohn's memories of him, reveal that he was much more formidable as a man and as a writer than Shadbold imagined.
Prudence Shadbold, the second wife of Shadbold, a successful writer of mystery stories under the pen name of Proserpine Gunning. She has little interest in her husband's early life and is ignorant of the youthful connections of Shadbold, Winterwade, and Isolde Upjohn.
Jason Price, Shadbold's young publisher, who sports a Lord Kitchener mustache, affects the dress of a 1920's man-about-town, and is interested in literary figures of the same period. In particular, he is interested in reprinting Winterwade's novel. He suspects that Shadbold's report on the Winterwade diary might not be entirely valid.
Horace Grigham, an English literature don at a provincial university and the former husband of Prudence Shadbold. He is bearded, bald, intense, and boringly tenacious if he becomes interested in anything. Grigham, who likes to use the most fashionable literary jargon but is clearly a bit fraudulent, surprises Shadbold by evincing an interest in Winterwade's work.
Rod Cubbage, a television interviewer, vain, arrogant, and infamous for attacking personalities who are unwise enough to appear on his program. Shadbold reluctantly accepts an invitation to be filmed with Cubbage, thinking himself a match for Cubbage and hoping that the exposure will help his public reputation. By sheer bad luck (for Shadbold), Cubbage manages to draw Isolde Upjohn onto the same show and soon senses that there are secrets to be told.