"The Diary of a Nobody" Characters Analysis
classics | Published in 2022
'The Diary of a Nobody' is a satirical, slapstick comedy about a Victorian family trying to work their way up in society. With a pompous dad, an accident prone son and a story full of shenanigans, it's easy to see how it paved the way for sitcoms like 'Modern Family' and 'Schitts Creek'. Written by the brothers George and Weedon Grossmith, this is a raucous tale that gives a window to the great British serial comedy. George and Weedon Grossmith were the sons of a court reporter, who was also a part-time stage entertainer. Although George started out as a reporter, both him and Weedon went on to work as entertainers on stage. After they both had successful careers as actors, comics and Weedon even having art exhibited at the Royal Academy, the pair combined their skills to write 'The Diary of a Nobody'.
| ISBN_13: | 9788027246342 |
| ISBN_10: | 8027246342 |
Estimated read time: 7 min read
Table of Contents
"The Diary of a Nobody" is a comedic novel written by George and Weedon Grossmith, first published in 1892. Set in Victorian England, the book tells the fictional diary entries of Charles Pooter, an ordinary middle-class man who considers himself as a "nobody." In this character analysis, we will delve into the various characters that play a significant role in Charles Pooter's life and explore their traits, backgrounds, relationships, and character arcs.
List of Characters
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Charles Pooter | Protagonist |
| Carrie Pooter | Charles' wife |
| Lupin Pooter | Charles' son |
| Mr. Cummings | Pooter's friend |
| Mr. Gowing | Pooter's friend |
| Sarah | The maid |
Role Identification
Charles Pooter: Charles Pooter serves as the protagonist of the novel and holds the central role in the story. He documents his daily experiences and encounters in his diary, highlighting his attempts to maintain dignity and respectability in the face of various humorous situations.
Carrie Pooter: Carrie Pooter is Charles' devoted and supportive wife. She is a caring and loving character who often tries to smooth out situations that arise from Charles' eccentricities or mishaps.
Lupin Pooter: Lupin Pooter is Charles' adult son who lives with his parents. He is depicted as an unconventional character, often challenging his father's traditional mindset and making choices that occasionally cause friction within the family dynamics.
Mr. Cummings: Mr. Cummings is one of Charles' friends and colleagues. He is described as an eccentric character with peculiar hobbies and interests, often indulging in pranks and mischievous behavior.
Mr. Gowing: Mr. Gowing is another friend of Pooter's. He is portrayed as a jovial and affable character, always ready to participate in a joke or a good time.
Sarah: Sarah is the maid in the Pooter household. She is presented as a loyal and hardworking character, striving to maintain the household efficiently despite the regular chaos brought upon by her employers.
Character Descriptions
Charles Pooter: Charles Pooter is a middle-aged man who works in the city of London as a clerk. He is an average individual who takes immense pride in his position and possessions. Pooter is meticulous, detail-oriented, and prone to embarrassing social blunders, often leading to comical situations.
Carrie Pooter: Carrie Pooter, Charles' wife, is described as a warm-hearted and patient woman. She is always supportive of her husband's endeavors and strives to maintain a harmonious household.
Lupin Pooter: Lupin Pooter is depicted as a fashionable and ambitious man. He often clashes with his father's traditional beliefs and aims to break free from societal expectations.
Mr. Cummings: Mr. Cummings is a quirky and peculiar character. He frequently engages in pranks and eccentric behaviors, adding an element of humor to the story.
Mr. Gowing: Mr. Gowing is a jolly and easy-going friend of Pooter's. He enjoys socializing, participating in jokes, and adding to the delightful chaos that follows.
Sarah: Sarah, the Pooter family's maid, is shown to be hardworking, loyal, and efficient, often trying to keep order in the household despite the frequent mishaps.
Character Traits
Charles Pooter: Pooter's character traits include pride in his social status, a desire for respectability, punctuality, attention to detail, naivety, and a tendency for social blunders. He is often self-conscious about his appearance and holds strong family values.
Carrie Pooter: Carrie is characterized by her patience, loyalty, and unwavering support for her husband. She possesses a compassionate nature and a willingness to forgive and forget.
Lupin Pooter: Lupin reflects traits of rebellion, independence, and a desire to challenge societal conventions. He is often portrayed as fashionable, ambitious, and impulsive, leading to conflicts with his father.
Mr. Cummings: Mr. Cummings is known for his eccentricity, indulgence in harmless pranks, and peculiar hobbies. He adds a comedic element to the story with his unpredictable and audacious behavior.
Mr. Gowing: Mr. Gowing is depicted as a carefree, affable, and jovial character who enjoys participating in jokes and adventures, often instigating or joining in the chaos.
Sarah: Sarah is characterized by her loyalty, hard work, and dedication to her tasks. She maintains order within the household despite the regular disruptions caused by her employers.
Character Background
Charles Pooter: Charles Pooter grew up in a middle-class family and worked his way up to become a clerk in the city. He values his social status and desires to be seen as a respectable member of society.
Carrie Pooter: Carrie Pooter is originally from a similar middle-class background as her husband. She is depicted as a traditional wife who manages the household and supports her husband in his endeavors.
Lupin Pooter: Lupin Pooter is the only child of Charles and Carrie Pooter. He grew up in a comfortable middle-class environment and is portrayed as someone who seeks individuality and independence amidst the conventional expectations of society.
Mr. Cummings: Mr. Cummings is a friend and colleague of Charles Pooter, known for his eccentric behavior. His background remains relatively undisclosed in the novel.
Mr. Gowing: Mr. Gowing is another close friend of Charles Pooter, often engaging in humorous escapades. Like Mr. Cummings, not much information is provided about his background.
Sarah: Sarah's background is not explicitly revealed in the novel. She is employed as a maid in the Pooter household and is devoted to her responsibilities.
Character Arcs
Charles Pooter: Charles Pooter's character arc revolves around his attempts to navigate the challenges of maintaining dignity and respectability in the face of various humorous situations. Pooter learns to embrace his own uniqueness and accept the occasional chaos that life brings, leading to personal growth and a wider perspective.
Carrie Pooter: Carrie Pooter's character arc primarily involves her unwavering support for her husband. She learns to find humor in their shared experiences, showcasing her resilience and ability to adapt to the ever-changing situations.
Lupin Pooter: Lupin Pooter's character arc focuses on his rebellion against societal expectations and his eventual realization of the importance of family and personal responsibility.
Mr. Cummings: Mr. Cummings appears sporadically throughout the novel, providing comedic relief through his eccentric behavior. His character arc is not as pronounced as the others.
Mr. Gowing: Similarly, Mr. Gowing's character arc remains relatively static, providing consistent comic relief throughout the novel.
Sarah: Sarah's character arc is minimal, as her role primarily revolves around maintaining order and consistency within the household.
Relationships
Charles and Carrie Pooter share a loving and supportive relationship, often finding solace in each other's company. Their interactions contribute to the comedic tone of the novel as Charles documents their daily lives.
Lupin Pooter's relationship with his father is strained at times due to their differing perspectives and Lupin's rebellious nature. This dynamic adds tension and conflict to the narrative.
Charles' friendships with Mr. Cummings and Mr. Gowing offer him a sense of companionship and camaraderie in the midst of the chaotic events that unfold. These friendships bring laughter and comedic enjoyment to the story.
The relationship between the Pooters and their maid, Sarah, highlights the mutual respect they share despite the comical situations that arise. Sarah's presence serves to contrast the Pooters' middle-class aspirations with their underlying moral values.
In conclusion, "The Diary of a Nobody" presents a delightful cast of characters that contribute to the humor and satire of this classic Victorian novel. Through their distinct traits, backgrounds, character arcs, and relationships, George and Weedon Grossmith have carefully constructed a comedic masterpiece that continues to entertain readers to this day.
