The Unicorn: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Unicorn: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate dynamics among the key figures in the narrative set in Gaze Castle, a hauntingly beautiful yet oppressive environment. Central to the story is Hannah Crean-Smith, a former mistress of the castle whose past indiscretions have rendered her a virtual prisoner. Her affections and struggles shape the lives of others around her, including Marian Taylor, her devoted companion, who grapples with the harsh realities of Hannah's plight amid the castle's dark atmosphere.
The character of Gerald Scottow, the domineering head keeper, embodies both a protective and threatening presence, while Denis Nolan, a loyal clerk, offers a more compassionate perspective, revealing the complexities of loyalty and control within the castle's walls. Other characters, like Jamesie Evercreech and Effingham Cooper, contribute to the web of relationships that oscillate between love, envy, and desperation. Each character reflects a facet of the larger themes of entrapment and longing that permeate the narrative, drawing readers into a world where enchantment and tragedy intertwine. Together, these characters create a rich tapestry that invites exploration of their motivations and the consequences of their actions.
The Unicorn: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Iris Murdoch
First published: 1963
Genre: Novel
Locale: A remote region in western Ireland
Plot: Love
Time: The early 1960's
Hannah Crean-Smith, nominally the mistress of Gaze Castle, a large and forbidding nineteenth century house situated near the black sandstone cliffs of western Ireland's coastline. Hannah, a lovely golden-haired woman who is no longer young nor yet middle-aged, is restricted to the castle because of an indiscretion that she committed almost nine years before the story begins. Having married Peter Crean-Smith before she was twenty years old, she then had a two-year affair with Philip “Pip” Lejour, a neighbor. After being discovered by Peter, who was more frequently absent than present, she is said to have tried to kill him by pushing him over a cliff, after which she was imprisoned in the house and her husband left for New York. She has not seen him since, but he is rumored to be returning soon. Pampered and indulged for their own selfish purposes by the staff and a few other persons, Hannah nevertheless is a prisoner, arrested in time, fearful of the world outside the castle, and apparently content to live in an alcoholic haze, childlike and unchanging, like an enchanted princess.
Marian Taylor, who is in her late twenties, recently a school-mistress and now a companion and tutor to Hannah Crean-Smith. Having decided that her relationship with Geoffrey would never go beyond affectionate friendship, Marian answered an advertisement that suggested change and adventure. She is astonished to learn that instead of a child her charge is a beautiful woman of about her own age. Marian quickly overcomes her initial apprehension and is soon as devoted to this appealing, unusual person as everyone else in the household seems to be. The other household members, however, all play a role in keeping Hannah quietly content, dependent, and totally deprived of freedom. When a rescue attempt fails miserably, Marian, shaken by grief and acceptance, decides to return to the world of reality.
Gerald Scottow, the head keeper of the castle and of Hannah. Once Peter Crean-Smith's lover, he now holds young Jamesie Evercreech in a similar thralldom. In his early forties, he is a big, handsome man, with a powerful, domineering manner slightly disguised by a courteous, reserved exterior. A local man, he is reputed to have supernatural powers commonly ascribed to the “fairy folk” of the region. His dominion over Hannah and the staff is absolute, even during his frequent and unexplained absences. Marian is both attracted to and repelled by him. Having incurred the hatred and anger of everyone through his cruel and brutal strength, Gerald threatens to take Hannah away with him after the aborted escape. Before he can do so, she kills him with Pip Lejour's shotgun and then shortly thereafter takes her own life by drowning.
Denis Nolan, the clerk of Gaze and the most devoted of those who serve Hannah. Formerly, he was employed at Riders. Like Gerald Scottow, he is a local man, thought to have fairy powers. He is thirty-three years old, short, watchful, and taci-turn. He performs services that cheer and entertain Hannah, such as singing in an astonishingly beautiful voice, dexterously cutting her hair, and bringing live creatures from outside for her to see. She never leaves the house, except on three disastrous occasions. He and Marian are united in their protective love for Hannah and their fearful hatred of Gerald, against whom Denis warns and advises Marian. Slowly, Marian begins to comprehend the strange circumstances surrounding life at Gaze. Only Denis seems to be single-mindedly and selflessly concerned for Hannah; when she dies, he leaves the castle, as does everyone else.
Jamesie Evercreech, a distant relation of Hannah, the chauffeur and Gerald's current lover. Five years ago, Jamesie tried to help Hannah escape but was stopped by Gerald, who whipped him and completely subjugated him to his own will.
Violet Evercreech, Jamesie's sister and the housekeeper of Gaze. Of an indeterminate age somewhere between forty and sixty, she is much older than Jamesie. She is thin and intense, and she is perhaps a little mad, like everyone else at Gaze.
Effingham Cooper, a governmental department head, a frequent houseguest at Riders, where he visits his former tutor, and an egotistical pretender to Hannah's love, though he is essentially more curious and intrigued than truly concerned about her. Marian enlists Effingham in her plot to release Hannah from her prison. He experiences an analogous adventure when he is almost drowned in a bog, from which he is magically rescued by Denis. At the end of the novel, Effingham leaves the area, relieved to be released from the spell that has held them all for a while and to which so many of them succumbed.
Alice Lejour, a horticulturist who once accused Denis of having tried to rape her, after which he was compelled to leave Riders. Later, she confesses that she had lied and that, as a matter of fact, it was she who tried in vain to get Denis to make love to her. She becomes a dear and solid friend to Marian during the turbulent and tragic events at the end of the novel.
Philip “Pip” Lejour, a journalist and poet, the owner of Riders. He is the brother of Alice and the son of Max Lejour. Pip figures in the novel primarily as an important person in Hannah's life when the two had an affair and were discovered by Peter Crean-Smith, then later, at the end of the novel, when he comes armed with a shotgun to rescue Hannah. She refuses to leave with Pip, however, and he is reported to have killed himself accidentally while cleaning his gun.
Max Lejour, an elderly, weary classics scholar, the father of Pip and Alice. Although he takes no part in the action of the story, Max is significant in his revealing conversations with several of the characters, particularly Effingham Cooper, his former pupil. He is the only person who seems to understand the whole mystery of Gaze, but his wisdom is of no help to anyone. He has remained aloof from Gaze all this while, yet it is to him that Hannah leaves her entire property in a will that is a surprise to all the survivors except Alice, who realizes that it was only Max, who did not prey on or interfere with Hannah, whom she really loved.