Pilgrimage: Analysis of Major Characters
"Pilgrimage: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the life of Miriam Henderson, an Englishwoman navigating her transition from youth to maturity amidst economic challenges and personal relationships. The narrative, structured as a series of stream-of-consciousness episodes, offers a detailed exploration of Miriam's experiences, including her roles as a teacher, governess, and caregiver. Throughout her journey, she grapples with societal expectations, personal aspirations, and her romantic entanglements, notably her engagement to Shatov and her affair with writer "Hypo" Wilson.
The portrayal of Miriam is thorough, emphasizing her inner thoughts and feelings, which contributes to her being one of literature's most realized characters. The supporting cast includes her family members, friends, and romantic interests, each influencing her life in various ways. The text critiques the narrative's lack of selectivity, arguing that both significant and mundane events are presented equally, leading to a mix of boredom and revelation. This analysis provides insight into the complexities of a young woman’s life in early 20th-century England, highlighting themes of independence, identity, and the impact of social structures.
Pilgrimage: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Dorothy Richardson
First published: 1938: Pointed Roofs, 1915; Backwater, 1916; Honeycomb, 1917; The Tunnel, 1919; Interim, 1919; Deadlock, 1921; Revolving Lights, 1923; The Trap, 1925; Oberland, 1927; Dawn's Left Hand, 1931; Clear Horizon, 1935; Dimple Hill, 1938; March Moonlight, 1967
Genre: Novels
Locale: England
Plot: Bildungsroman
Time: 1893–1911
Miriam Henderson, an Englishwoman of middle-class background whose story from youth to maturity is screened through her mind in a series of discontinuous episodes, impressions, and suggestions. Forced to earn her own living after her father loses his money, she teaches in Germany and in London. She becomes a governess in a wealthy household. She nurses her dying mother. She works in a dental clinic. She interests herself in the activities of a Socialist group, the Lycurgans. She is engaged to marry Shatov, a Russian Jew, but changes her mind. She begins to write literary reviews. She rejects Dr. Densley's proposal and has an affair with a writer named “Hypo” Wilson. She goes on a vacation in Switzerland. She spends some time with a Quaker family in the country. The twelve volumes of Miriam Henderson's story represent the most extended exercise of pure stream-of-consciousness in all literature, and Miriam herself is the most completely realized character from the interior point of view. The flaw in Richardson's novel is that it offers little selectivity. The events of one woman's life, the important and the trivial, are presented on the same plane of immediate sensation, and the result is boredom as well as revelation. Reviewing Richardson's work, May Sinclair borrowed a phrase from William James and used the term “stream-of-consciousness” to describe the technique employed.
Mr. Henderson, a moderately prosperous man living on inherited income. The loss of his money throws his daughters on their own resources.
Mrs. Henderson, his wife, nursed by her daughter Miriam while she is dying of cancer.
Harriet Henderson, Sarah Henderson, and Eve Henderson, Miriam's sisters. Harriet marries Gerald, who also loses his money; they run a rooming house. Sarah remains with her parents until she marries. Eve moves back and forth between London and Wales, sometimes teaching, sometimes running a shop.
Gerald, Harriet's husband.
Fraulein Pfaff, the mistress of a private school in Germany where Miriam Henderson teaches for a year.
Pastor Lahmann, a friend of Fraulein Pfaff, who becomes jealous when he appears interested in Miriam Henderson.
The Misses Perne, women who conduct Wordsworth House, a school in London where Miriam Henderson teaches for a time.
Grace Bloom and Florrie Bloom, students at Wordsworth House. They become Miriam Henderson's friends.
Ted, a young man in whom Miriam Henderson is interested. He is jealous of Max.
Max, a young man attentive to Miriam Henderson. He dies in New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Corrie, the owners of a country home where Miriam Henderson is employed as a governess.
Dr. Orly, Sr., Dr. Orly, Jr., and Dr. Hancock, the owners of a dental clinic where Miriam Henderson works as a secretary and assistant. The Orlys become her friends, and Dr. Hancock introduces her to the London literary life.
Mrs. Bailey, the owner of a boardinghouse where Miriam Henderson takes lodgings.
Alma, Miriam Henderson's old school friend, now married to “Hypo” Wilson, a writer.
“Hypo” Wilson, a writer obviously modeled on H. G. Wells. He introduces Miriam Henderson to the Lycurgans, a Socialist group. Later, she has an affair with him.
Eleanor Dear, a sickly nurse who imagines that every man she meets is in love with her. Miriam Henderson nurses her through an illness. She later has an affair with Shatov, to whom Miriam is engaged.
Dr. Densley, Miriam Henderson's friend and adviser. She rejects his proposal of marriage.
Shatov, a Russian Jew, a brilliant young intellectual who also interests Miriam Henderson in Socialism and literature. They are engaged to be married, but she breaks the engagement when he becomes Eleanor Dear's lover. He eventually marries Amabel.
Selina Holland, a social worker with whom Miriam Henderson shares an apartment for a time. The two women quarrel, and Miriam returns to Mrs. Bailey's boardinghouse.
Amabel, a young girl in whom Miriam Henderson has taken an interest. She marries Shatov.
The Rescorlas, a Quaker family with whom Miriam Henderson lives for six months in the country.