The Sandcastle: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Sandcastle: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the intricate relationships and dynamics among the characters within the narrative, centering on William Mor, a teacher struggling with personal and professional stagnation. William is depicted as a submissive husband to Nan, his wife, and an estranged father to their children, Felicity and Donald. His internal conflict intensifies when he falls in love with Rain Carter, a young artist, leading to a love affair that challenges his commitments. Nan, characterized as determined yet limiting, actively sabotages William's aspirations, including his political ambitions, while dealing with her own insecurities and jealousy.
Rain's character embodies youthful desire and artistic ambition, but she ultimately decides to return to France, recognizing the sacrifices required for William to pursue his family obligations and budding political career. Supporting characters, such as Demoyte, the former headmaster, and Tim Burke, a family friend, further illustrate the contrasts in aspirations and societal expectations that the Mor family grapples with. The narrative explores themes of duty, love, and the constraints of personal choice, culminating in a reunion of the Mor family members as they each embark on paths of their own design. The complexity of these characters invites reflection on the balance between personal desires and familial responsibilities.
The Sandcastle: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Iris Murdoch
First published: 1957
Genre: Novel
Locale: England's Surrey and Dorset counties, and London
Plot: Philosophical
Time: The 1950's
William Mor, a teacher and housemaster at St. Bride's. He is the husband of Nan, father of Felicity and Donald, and friend of Demoyte and Tim Burke. William is submissive to his wife, estranged from his son and daughter, and at a standstill in his work. As an agnostic, he is unable to succeed Demoyte as headmaster. He wishes to enter politics, but Nan opposes this. William falls in love with Rain Carter. Nan discovers the affair, but William decides to leave her and writes to tell her so. When his son disappears, he postpones his departure and loses Rain. William believes that goodness cannot exist where there is tyranny but that freedom is not an end in itself. His story, his indecisiveness, his loss of love, and his adherence to duty illustrate this statement. The Mor family members are together at the end of the novel, and William, Felicity, and Donald are all embarking on work that they wish to do.
Nan Mor, the wife of William and mother of Felicity and Donald, a determined, complacent, limited, and limiting woman. Nan lacks the imagination to see any point of view but her own and systematically defeats her husband's desires. Shaken by the prospect of losing him, genuinely concerned about her son, and jealous of Rain Carter, Nan breaks up William and Rain's relationship by stating, falsely, that she and William have jointly agreed that he will stand in a safe Labour seat next election. The events leave her with her family intact but committed to her husband's new career and with her attitude somewhat changed.
Rain Carter, a young and attractive woman hired to paint Demoyte's retirement portrait. Rain falls in love with William, but his children discover their meetings. When William's wife hears of the affair, she returns home unexpectedly from Dorset and discovers her husband and Rain together. Although William finds his hidden glimpse of Rain's professional life attractive, she believes that he has too much to leave. This is confirmed when, at the dinner to celebrate the portrait's completion, Nan reveals William's political plans, of which Rain knew nothing. Deeply hurt but unselfish, she decides to return alone to France and her career.
Demoyte, the former headmaster, a lover of oriental rugs and rare books. He is a tyrannical but generous old man. He is attracted by Rain, the enemy of Nan, and a friend of William. Demoyte is on the side of possibility: He encourages William's love for Rain, offers to pay for Felicity's education, and encourages William in a political career.
Felicity Mor, William and Nan's daughter, a believer in witchcraft. She is a secretive, difficult girl, devoted to her brother and eager to keep the family together. Her mother thinks that she should be a secretary. Felicity decides that she will attend a university. Through Felicity, Nan learns of William's love for Rain.
Donald Mor, William and Nan's son, who is less than successful as a scholar. His father intends for him to go to a university. After a forbidden climbing attempt on the school tower, Donald hides out until the entrance examinations are over. He then takes refuge with Tim Burke and decides to become a jeweler. Donald's disappearance leads William to delay, crucially, his leaving Nan.
Tim Burke, an Irish jeweler who is a Labour Party official, friend of William, and admirer of Nan.
Bledyard, the art master at St. Bride's, a Christian who is critical of Rain's work and of William's conduct. Bledyard is a comic figure, but his views are to be taken seriously.