1. Team Indecisive
BRANDON SAGER
LAAKEA KAHALE
ETHAN COSSET
BRENDAN MCKLINTOC
MADELINE ROBERTS
ALEXANDER SEBRING
2. A Voyage in the
Dark
CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF:
A NOVEL BY JEAN RHYS
3. Anna
Despite her complaints about the weather, Anna’s discomfort in
England seems to stem instead from a deep-seated anxiety.
Her insecurity has also manifested in her frequent sickliness and
defensive posture.
She is uncomfortable with her sense of identity and grasps at
external things which seem more pleasant, such as nicer clothes or
the concept of another race.
She does all of these things because she believes it might appease
the expectations of others. This search for an anchor leads to her
brief affair with Walter.
4. Walter
Walter initially seems charming and generous, however he’s
revealed to be somewhat of a cad (British slang for a boy who
mistreats women). He does as he likes behind a veneer of propriety.
However, even after discarding Anna, Walter claims that he intends
to support her for some indeterminate period of time, and ultimately
ends up paying for her abortion.
It seems that although he has little interest in long-term relationships,
he still feels obligated to keep up some appearance of dignity, and
so he provides for Anna to absolve himself of any emotional
responsibility.
5. Vincent
Similar to his cousin Walter, Vincent is outwardly charming and
assuring, but shows hints of duplicity. Anna senses something and
dislikes him almost immediately.
Arguments with Germaine, leading up to her sudden absence, are
hints that he may not be the prince charming he appears to be.
Becomes the go-between after Walter dumps Anna, and comes to
represent the fact that Walter really can’t be bothered with her
anymore. Walter ultimately is the one who makes the arrangements
for Anna's abortion by the book's end.
6. Hester
Hester is extremely rigid and mannered, and tries to raise Anna to be
a respectable young woman through tough love. It is she who sends
Anna to England in the first place, thinking it might set her straight.
She is also blatantly racist and classist; she abhors Anna’s interaction
with the servants, expressing fears that Anna might become like
them, and ultimately sends Francine away after she and Anna
become too close.
Her concept of fairness and responsibility is ironclad, and she does
not tolerate being tasked with more (or credited with less) than her
obligation. She will plead her case endlessly if she feels she is being
approached unfairly in this way.
7. Uncle Bo
Uncle Bo is Anna Morgan’s biological uncle from her mother’s side
of the family.
Uncle Bo was first introduced in the story as a drunk. Anna spoke of
him with her lover Walter while drinking, and created comparisons
as to how much of a drunk Anna remembered her dad and him to
be.
His refusal of assistance for Anna and her move back home,
indicated that he was a hurt, and that he was debating whether or
not he wanted anything to do with Anna and her step-mother.
Uncle Bo vehemently hates Hester, believing she stole Anna’s
inheritance.
8. Maudie
Maudie is extremely different from the stereotypical Victorian “posh,
proper lady”. In the beginning of the book she walks downstairs from
her shared apartment with Anna, angering their land lady because
of her indecency because she was wearing a nightgown.
Maudie’s very reliant on alcohol. In their chance meeting with
Vincent and Walter whilst walking in the port, Maudie drinks her fill of
port. After their leave, she’s noted to tell Anna that they should finish
the port as she downs another glass.
People of today’s standards would assume she’s racist by some of
her comments, “Like a Jew’, I said. “Is he a Jew?”
Maudie is willingly indifferent towards others’ opinions of her, and
the status quo.
9. Ethel
Ethel Matthews is, at first, a coincidental character that showed up
in Anna Morgan’s life. She’s shown compassion and kind hospitality
towards Anna during Anna’s struggles.
Ethel is independent, she runs her own manicure and massage
business.
Ethel has shown concern for Anna throughout her problems.
Later in the story, Ethel is depicted to be a bit jealous, and
confrontational towards Anna leaving her out of a meeting with
friends. She seems lonely and hurt, and hates being left out.
Along with these changes in personality, Ethel is also much more
outwardly hostile. When angry she orders Anna to leave, then
changes her mind. This indicates Ethel feels lonely and is powerless
to do anything about it.
10. Points of discussion:
Is Vincent a morally good or bad character? Is he a duplicitous
manipulator or trying to be as much of a gentleman as he can be in
a nasty situation?
The ending of the novel was extremely bleak, with Anna repeating
the sentiment that this depressing cycle will never end and she's
doomed to be miserable forever. Do you agree that there is no
hope for Anna? Disagree?
