Estimated read time: 7 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Richard Collier | Protagonist |
| Elise McKenna | Love Interest |
| William Fawcett Robinson | Antagonist |
| Laura Roberts | Supportive Friend |
| Arthur Biehl | Friend and Mentor |
| Millie Sturges | Supportive Friend |
| Robinson's Henchmen | Minions |
Role Identification
In Richard Matheson's novel "Somewhere In Time," the characters play various roles that drive the narrative forward. Richard Collier, the protagonist, embarks on a journey through time to meet his love interest, Elise McKenna. William Fawcett Robinson serves as the antagonist, creating obstacles for Richard and Elise. Laura Roberts, Arthur Biehl, and Millie Sturges play supportive roles as friends and mentors to Richard.
Character Descriptions
Richard Collier: Richard is a young playwright with a romantic soul. He is described as handsome, sensitive, and deeply passionate. Richard's longing for love and connection drives him to travel back in time to meet Elise.
Elise McKenna: Elise is a renowned actress in the late 19th century. She is depicted as beautiful, talented, and enigmatic. Elise captivates Richard with her grace and charm, becoming the object of his affection.
William Fawcett Robinson: Robinson is a wealthy and possessive man who becomes obsessed with Elise. He is portrayed as arrogant, controlling, and willing to do anything to keep Elise for himself.
Laura Roberts: Laura is Richard's close friend and confidante in the present time. She offers emotional support and acts as a sounding board for Richard's time-traveling endeavor.
Arthur Biehl: Arthur is an older man who befriends Richard and becomes his mentor. He guides Richard in his quest to travel back in time and offers wisdom and advice throughout the story.
Millie Sturges: Millie is another friend of Richard's who supports him in his time-traveling endeavor. She provides emotional encouragement and serves as a source of stability for Richard.
Robinson's Henchmen: These characters are the minions working for William Fawcett Robinson. They carry out his orders and serve as additional obstacles for Richard.
Character Traits
Richard Collier: Richard is characterized by his idealism, determination, and romantic nature. He is willing to risk everything to be with the woman he loves, showing his bravery and unwavering devotion.
Elise McKenna: Elise is described as elegant, mysterious, and captivating. She possesses a quiet strength and a deep passion for her craft. Elise's beauty and talent make her alluring to those around her.
William Fawcett Robinson: Robinson is portrayed as manipulative, possessive, and ruthless. His obsession with Elise drives him to take extreme measures to control her life and keep her from anyone else.
Laura Roberts: Laura is depicted as caring, supportive, and understanding. She provides a listening ear and offers advice to Richard when he needs it most.
Arthur Biehl: Arthur is portrayed as wise, patient, and knowledgeable. He serves as a mentor figure to Richard, guiding him in his journey through time and imparting valuable insights.
Millie Sturges: Millie is characterized by her loyalty, kindness, and unwavering support for Richard. She stands by him throughout his time-traveling adventure, offering encouragement and stability.
Robinson's Henchmen: These characters exhibit blind loyalty to Robinson. They are obedient, menacing, and willing to carry out his orders without question.
Character Background
Richard Collier: Richard is a young playwright from the present time. He becomes inspired to time travel after encountering an old photograph of Elise McKenna in a hotel museum. Richard's background is explored in the novel, revealing his artistic aspirations and his longing for love.
Elise McKenna: Elise is an actress from the late 19th century. She leads a successful career but struggles with personal demons. Her background is revealed through Richard's research and interactions with people who knew her.
William Fawcett Robinson: Robinson is a wealthy man who becomes infatuated with Elise after seeing her perform. His background is not extensively explored in the novel, but his obsession with control and possession suggests a troubled past.
Laura Roberts: Laura is Richard's friend from the present time. Her background is not extensively explored, but she is depicted as a caring and supportive individual.
Arthur Biehl: Arthur is an older man who has experience with time travel. He becomes a mentor to Richard, sharing his knowledge and guiding him in his quest to meet Elise. Arthur's background and expertise in time travel are explained in the novel.
Millie Sturges: Millie is also a friend of Richard's from the present time. Her background is not extensively explored, but she is portrayed as a loyal and supportive friend.
Robinson's Henchmen: The background of Robinson's henchmen is not explored in detail in the novel. They are depicted as loyal followers who carry out their master's orders without question.
Character Arcs
Richard Collier: Richard's character arc revolves around his journey through time to meet Elise. Initially, he is a dreamy and somewhat disillusioned playwright. Through his experiences in the past, he undergoes personal growth, gaining a deeper understanding of love and sacrifice.
Elise McKenna: Elise's character arc is more subtle but still significant. She begins as a talented but somewhat jaded actress. As she meets Richard and experiences a genuine and selfless love, she begins to rediscover her passion for life and her art.
William Fawcett Robinson: Robinson's character arc is one of obsession and control. He starts as a wealthy and influential man who believes he can possess anything he desires. As Richard's interference threatens his hold on Elise, Robinson's desperation and ruthlessness intensify.
Laura Roberts, Arthur Biehl, and Millie Sturges: These characters serve primarily as supporting roles and do not undergo significant character arcs. However, they provide emotional support and guidance to Richard throughout his journey.
Relationships
Richard Collier and Elise McKenna: The relationship between Richard and Elise is the central focus of the novel. It is characterized by love, longing, and sacrifice. Richard's time-traveling efforts are driven by his desire to be with Elise, and their connection transcends time.
Richard Collier and William Fawcett Robinson: Richard and Robinson have an adversarial relationship. Robinson sees Richard as a threat to his control over Elise and becomes increasingly hostile towards him.
Richard Collier and Laura Roberts: Richard and Laura have a close friendship, and Laura supports Richard in his time-traveling endeavor. Their relationship is characterized by trust and emotional connection.
Richard Collier and Arthur Biehl: Arthur becomes a mentor figure to Richard, guiding him through his time-traveling journey. Their relationship is built on trust, respect, and a shared passion for exploring the mysteries of time.
Richard Collier and Millie Sturges: Millie is a loyal friend who stands by Richard throughout his time-traveling adventure. Their relationship is characterized by support, understanding, and unwavering loyalty.
In conclusion, "Somewhere In Time" by Richard Matheson features a diverse cast of characters who play crucial roles in driving the narrative forward. The relationships, character traits, and background of each character contribute to the overall emotional journey of the story. Richard's quest to meet Elise and the obstacles he faces along the way create a compelling character arc that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of connection.
