Penguin Island: Analysis of Major Characters
"Penguin Island: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the satirical narrative of a fictional society developed from a group of penguins transformed into humans by a Breton missionary monk named Maël. The story begins with the penguins being baptized and establishing a society on an island off the Breton coast, which serves as a critique of French history. Key characters include Kraken, a cunning penguin who exploits the ignorance of his peers for personal gain, and Oberosia, his mistress, who emerges as a saintly figure after defeating a dragon of her own making. Other notable figures include Eveline Clarence, a charming socialite entwined in political affairs, and her husband, M. Hippolyte Cérès, who disrupts political stability due to his wife's infidelity. The narrative also features conspirators like Father Agaric, who aim to overthrow the republic, and Greatank, the powerful leader who establishes the first government. As the story unfolds, it interweaves themes of power, deception, and the quest for identity within a whimsical yet critical framework.
Penguin Island: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Anatole France
First published: L'Île des pingouins, 1908 (English translation, 1914)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Mythical Alca
Plot: Satire
Time: Ancient times to the present
Maël (mah-EHL), a Breton missionary monk who, in ancient times, preached to a group of penguins living on an island at the North Pole. The penguins were baptized and turned into men, and the island was towed to a point off the Breton coast. Thus began a society that is the author's satire of French history.
Kraken (krah-KAHN), a clever penguin who lives by his wits and turns to his advantage the ignorance and superstitions of the peasant penguins. By constructing an imitation dragon and “killing” it at an appropriate time, he wins the gratitude of the populace and thereafter accepts annual tribute from them.
Oberosia (oh-beh-ROH-zyah), Kraken's mistress and the most beautiful of the penguin women. She appears as a virgin who conquers a dragon in order that Maël's prophecy might be fulfilled. The “dragon” is one she and Kraken have fashioned. Oberosia is the island's first and most important saint.
Eveline Clarence (ehv-LEEN klah-REHNS), a beautiful, talented charmer who becomes a favorite at political social gatherings. She marries a rising politician and becomes the mistress of the prime minister. She lives a long, happy life and, when she dies, leaves her property to the Charity of Saint Oberosia.
M. Hippolyte Cérès (ee-poh-LEET say-REHS), Eveline's husband, who tries to ruin the prime minister's career when it becomes apparent that Eveline is his mistress. His action has some effect, for the prime minister is finally put out of office.
Father Agaric (ah-gah-REEK) and Prince des Boscenos (day boh-sah-NOHS), conspirators who attempt to destroy the republic and restore the monarchy. The revolution they launch is short-lived, failing almost as soon as it begins.
Greatank (gray-ah-TAHNK), the most powerful of all the penguins, who establishes Penguinia's first government on the island of Alca, its system that of a clan or tribe ruled by a strong warrior.
Draco (drah-KOH), Kraken's son, who founds the first royal family of Penguinia.
Draco the Great, a descendant of Draco who establishes a monastery in honor of Oberosia; thus the Middle Ages come to the island of Alca.
Trinco (tran-KOH), the great soldier who takes command of the army of the republic after the monarchy has been abolished. He quickly conquers and loses most of the known world.
Johannes Talpa (zhoh-AHN tahl-PAH), a learned monk who chronicles the early history of the penguins.
Marbodius (mahr-boh-DYEWS), a literary monk who leaves a record of his descent into Hell.
Viscountess Olive (oh-LEEV), a clever aristocrat who seduces Chatillon in order to gain his support for the royalists' cause.
Viscount Clena (klay-NAH), a suitor whom Eveline rejects when she learns that he is of modest means.
God, a deity who finds it necessary to call the saints together in order to decide what to do about the penguins Maël has baptized.
Chatillon (shah-tee-YOHN), an admiral used by Father Agaric and the prince to head the military forces in the unsuccessful revolution.
M. Paul Visire (vee-SEER), prime minister of Penguinia, Eveline's lover.
Madame Clarence, Eveline's mother.
Pyrot (pee-ROH), a scapegoat.