Characters The Spire

1 characters

1.1 jocelin
1.2 roger mason
1.3 rachel
1.4 pangall
1.5 goody
1.6 father anselm
1.7 father adam
1.8 lady alison

characters
jocelin

dean jocelin character through whom novel presented. golding utilises stream of consciousness technique show his, lear-like, descent madness. novel charts destruction of self-confidence , ambition. construction of spire draws end, jocelin removed position dean , abandonment of religious duties denounced church council. ultimately, succumbs illness had personified guardian angel.

jocelin may have been named after josceline de bohon, bishop of salisbury 1142 1184, buried in salisbury cathedral.

roger mason

roger mason, medieval master mason is, in direct contrast jocelin, physically powerful , rationalist. associated imagery of bull , stallion. roger contends jocelin, arguing cathedral foundations insufficient support spire. forced continue project because jocelin makes impossible him work elsewhere. after death of goody, roger becomes alcoholic. in moment of clarity, jocelin visits roger , learn of failed suicide attempt.

rachel

rachel mason roger s wife. reveals jocelin reason why cannot have children attempts @ sex result in fits of giggles.

pangall

pangall crippled , impotent cathedral servant. mocked because of impotency workmen.

goody

goody, acts important object of love , lust, dies while giving birth. jocelin sees perfect woman.

father anselm

anselm largely critical of developments concerning spire, arguing destruction of church. jocelin had been prepared lose friendship anselm part of cost of spire, learn end of novel appeared not have friendship in first place.

father adam

father adam dubbed jocelin father anonymous , indicating jocelin s feelings of superiority. until end of novel, when father adam becomes jocelin s caretaker, largely minor character surprised how jocelin never taught pray, doing best him heaven.

lady alison

a wealthy mistress of late king, learn how money funding spire result of affair. appearance of tiny woman – not larger child , plump , pale, wearing black dress, black hair, eyes , make-up, small features. wealth , sexuality presented through pearls , perfume , takes care of appearance, having smooth skin fine lines, despite age.