Charles

Charles is the central character in the book, its narrator and the definer of its perspective. He is selfish, arrogant, manipulative, prone to self-delusion, simultaneously intelligent and unwise, a glutton and a self-indulgent sensualist. In his own mind he is the victimized central character in his own drama-filled life, manipulated by Clement, abandoned by Hartley, unloved by his mother, and emotionally abandoned by his father. This sense of victimization is perhaps the prime motivating factor for his insistent perspective that he is the central character in other people's lives. As far as he's concerned, the experiences of Lizzie, Gilbert, Rosina, Peregrine and Clement all revolve around him, and there are clear indications throughout the book that he has made deliberate choices to ensure that indeed, the drama in their lives is the result of his actions and/or inactions.

Charles' journey in the book can perhaps be defined...