Old Saint Paul's: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire: Analysis of Major Characters
"Old Saint Paul's: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire" explores the intertwined lives of several characters during the tumultuous period of the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of London. Central to the narrative is Stephen Bloundel, a grocer striving to protect his beloved daughter Amabel from the ravages of the plague. Amabel, a beautiful young woman, finds herself caught in a tumultuous love triangle between Leonard Holt, her devoted apprentice, and Maurice Wyvil, the Earl of Rochester, whose intentions are anything but honorable. As Amabel succumbs to the plague, Leonard emerges as a heroic figure, ultimately marrying Nizza Macascree, who had cared for him during his illness.
The story also features a cast of characters that includes the duplicitous Wyvil, the bullying Sir Paul Parravicin, and the malevolent Judith Malmayns, who plays a pivotal role in Amabel's tragic fate. The backdrop of the plague and the subsequent fire serves as a catalyst for the development of these characters, revealing themes of love, betrayal, and resilience. Overall, the tale presents a vivid depiction of human relationships and struggles against the backdrop of historical calamity, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of character motivations and the impact of societal crises.
Old Saint Paul's: A Tale of the Plague and the Fire: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: William Harrison Ainsworth
First published: 1841
Genre: Novel
Locale: London, England
Plot: Historical
Time: Mid-seventeenth century
Stephen Bloundel, a London grocer whose beautiful daughter Amabel is sought by apprentice and nobleman alike. He does all he can to protect his family during the plague of 1665, but Amabel refuses to remain in the boarded-up house. She eventually dies of the plague.
Amabel, his beautiful daughter. She is in love with Wyvil, the Earl of Rochester, who entices her to the vaults of St. Paul's, almost marries her, later kidnaps her, and at last marries her shortly before she dies of the plague.
Leonard Holt, Bloundel's apprentice. In love with Amabel, he prevents her first attempt to marry Wyvil. Plague-stricken, he is nursed by Nizza, whom he later rescues after her abduction by Sir Paul. Shocked by Amabel's death, he is nursed to health by Bloundel, whose partner he becomes. During the great London fire, he suggests to King Charles the plan of blowing up houses to halt the spread of fire. He saves Charles's life during the fire; for his heroism, he is dubbed Baron Argentine. He marries Nizza (Lady Isabella Argentine).
Maurice Wyvil, the Earl of Rochester, a philanderer who plots to dishonor Amabel through amorous pretense of wooing and falsely wedding her. He is tricked into actually marrying her. After her death, he marries Mistress Mallet.
Sir Paul Parravicin (Lord Argentine), a bully, a companion of Wyvil and Lydyard. He is unaware that he is Nizza's brother.
Nizza Macascree (Lady Isabella Argentine), the beautiful foster daughter of Mike Macascree and sister of Sir Paul. She nurses Leonard during the plague, rejects an offer to become King Charles's mistress, and afterward marries Leonard.
Judith Malmayns, a wicked nurse who murders Amabel by infecting her with the plague.
Lydyard (Sir George Etherege), a philandering companion of Wyvil.
Major Pillichody, a low friend of Wyvil and Lydyard.
Chowles,acoffinmaker.
Matthew Malmayns, the husband of Judith and sexton in St. Faith Cathedral.
Dr. Hodges, a physician. While attending young Stephen Bloundel, he reveals Wyvil's identity and his double pursuit of Amabel and Mistress Mallet.
Mistress Mallet, an heiress wooed and finally wed by Wyvil.
Mike Macascree, the blind foster father of Nizza.
Charles II, the king of England.
Thirlby, Judith's foster brother, the murderer of Isabella's husband. He is the father of Nizza and Sir Paul.
Isabella Morley Thirlby, the mother of Nizza (little Isabella) and Sir Paul.