Tom Burke of “Ours”: Analysis of Major Characters
"Tom Burke of 'Ours'" is a narrative centered on the character Tom Burke, the younger son of an Irish nobleman who embarks on a journey filled with adventure and conflict following his father's death. Initially a soldier of fortune, Tom navigates complex relationships with various historical and fictional characters, including Irish patriots, British soldiers, and a corrupt lawyer. His experiences lead him to France, where he attends the École Polytechnique and rises to the rank of colonel under Napoleon.
Key characters include Darby M'Keown, Tom's loyal friend; Marie de Meudon, the beautiful widow he eventually marries; and Captain Bubbleton, an amiable English officer who supports him. The story also features antagonists like Captain Montague Crofts, who seeks to claim Tom's inherited estates, and the chevalier Duchesne, who betrays Tom. Set against a backdrop of historical events, the narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and personal ambition while showcasing the complexities of friendship and love amidst the turmoil of war.
Tom Burke of “Ours”: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Charles James Lever
First published: 1844
Genre: Novel
Locale: Ireland and France
Plot: Historical
Time: Early nineteenth century
Tom Burke, the younger son of an Irish nobleman. He becomes a soldier of fortune after his father's death. He has many adventures with Irish patriots, the British army, and an evil lawyer. He makes his way to France, attends the École Polytechnique, and becomes an officer under Napoleon, rising to the rank of colonel. He inherits the family estates when his older brother George dies, and he marries Marie de Meudon, a beautiful Frenchwoman and the widow of General d'Auvergne.
Darby M'Keown, an Irish patriot known as Darby the Blast. He is Tom's friend.
Charles de Meudon (deh mew-DOHN), a young French officer aiding the Irish rebels who becomes Tom's friend and who, just before his death, gives Tom money for passage to France and asks him to look after his sister, Marie de Meudon.
MariedeMeudon, also known as Mlle de Rochefort and the Rose of Provence. She is Charles Meudon's sister. She marries Tom Burke after she has become a widow and he has inherited the family estates.
Captain Bubbleton, a bombastic, good-hearted English officer who befriends Tom.
Anna Maria Bubbleton, Captain Bubbleton's good-hearted sister, who nurses Tom when he is hurt.
Captain Montague Crofts, a villain who is Tom's enemy and wants, as a distant kinsman, to obtain Tom's estates.
General d'Auvergne (doh-VEHR-nyeh), one of Napoleon's officers, Tom's friend and benefactor. He is the first husband of Marie. He had wanted to adopt Marie, but Napoleon insisted that he marry her instead. He is killed in battle at Chaumière.
The Marquis Henri de Beauvais (ahn-REE deh boh-VAY), a royalist who plots against Napoleon. He becomes Tom's friend and clears Tom of charges of treason against Napoleon.
The Abbé d'Ervan (ah-BAY dehr-VAHN), a loyalist and a friend of the marquis de Beauvais.
Anthony Basset, an unscrupulous lawyer who cheats Tom as a boy.
The chevalier Duchesne (dew-SHEHZ-neh), a friend of Tom who turns against Napoleon and then tries to incriminate Tom as a traitor.
Napoleon Bonaparte, the French leader, under whom Tom serves against the British. Napoleon notices Tom's excellence as a soldier and grants him preferment and decorations.
Lieutenant Tascher, Madame Bonaparte's nephew and Tom's roommate at the École Polytechnique.