"The British Museum Is Falling Down" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In David Lodge's novel, "The British Museum Is Falling Down," the characters play various roles that contribute to the overall narrative. The protagonist, Adam Appleby, serves as the central character whose struggles and thoughts drive the plot. Other characters, such as Barbara Appleby, Baby Appleby, Father Tommy, and the Confessor, support the development of Adam's character and influence his decisions. Additionally, various scholars appear to engage in intellectual discussions that reflect the novel's themes.

Character Descriptions

Adam Appleby

Adam Appleby is the main character in the novel and a young British Catholic who works as a research student at the British Museum. He is described as intelligent, introspective, and burdened by his religious beliefs. Adam is torn between his loyalty to the Catholic Church and his desires as a married man. He constantly grapples with the conflict between his faith's teachings on contraception and his desire for sexual intimacy with his wife, Barbara.

Barbara Appleby

Barbara Appleby is Adam's wife and the mother of their infant child, Baby Appleby. She is portrayed as a loving and supportive partner to Adam, but also shares his frustrations regarding their inability to use contraception due to their Catholic beliefs. Barbara is depicted as an attractive and caring woman who tries to maintain a sense of humor despite the challenges they face.

Baby Appleby

Baby Appleby is Adam and Barbara's infant child. Though a minor character, Baby Appleby symbolizes the responsibilities and pressures faced by Adam and Barbara as they navigate their relationship while adhering to their religious beliefs.

Father Tommy

Father Tommy is a Catholic priest who acts as a confidant and spiritual advisor to Adam. He appears as a sympathetic and understanding figure, providing guidance and attempting to ease Adam's guilt over his internal conflicts. Father Tommy represents the institutional authority of the Catholic Church and serves as a catalyst for Adam's introspection.

Confessor

The Confessor is an anonymous figure who represents the voice of the Catholic Church and its teachings on contraception. Adam's conversations with the Confessor, which occur in a dream-like state, heighten his feelings of guilt and reinforce the internal struggle he faces.

Various Scholars

Throughout the novel, several scholars make brief appearances, engaging Adam in intellectual discussions about literature, philosophy, and religion. While these characters are not as prominent as the others, they contribute to the novel's themes of intellectualism and academic pursuits.

Character Traits

Adam Appleby

• Intelligent
• Introspective
• Guilt-ridden
• Frustrated
• Conflicted

Barbara Appleby

• Loving
• Supportive
• Frustrated
• Witty
• Attractive

Baby Appleby

• Innocent
• Symbolic of responsibility

Father Tommy

• Sympathetic
• Understanding
• Spiritual

Confessor

• Authoritative
• Unyielding
• Emblematic of Catholic Church teachings

Character Background

Adam Appleby is a young Catholic man living in London during the 1960s. His background as a research student at the British Museum reflects his intellectual pursuits and his appreciation for literature and art. Adam's Catholic upbringing and education heavily influence his beliefs and moral convictions. Barbara, his wife, shares a similar background, which strengthens their bond but also adds to their shared struggles.

Character Arcs

Adam Appleby

Throughout the novel, Adam's character arc revolves around his internal conflict between loyalty to his faith and his desires as a married man. He initially experiences guilt and frustration over his inability to use contraception, which intensifies as the story progresses. Adam's arc culminates in a climactic scene where he questions the validity of the Church's teachings and the impact they have on his personal life.

Relationships

Adam and Barbara Appleby

Adam and Barbara's relationship is a central aspect of the novel. They share a deep love for each other, but their struggles with the Church's teachings on contraception put a strain on their marriage. Their conversations and interactions reflect their desire to find a balance between their religious convictions and their personal desires.

Adam and Father Tommy

Adam's relationship with Father Tommy provides him with a confidant who tries to alleviate his guilt and help him navigate his internal conflicts. Father Tommy represents the Church and acts as a spiritual guide, but Adam's conversations with him also highlight the limitations and contradictions of religious doctrine.

Adam and the Confessor

The Confessor represents the rigid teachings of the Catholic Church regarding contraception. Adam's conversations with the Confessor in dream-like sequences heighten his feelings of guilt and contribute to his internal struggle.

Adam and Various Scholars

Adam's interactions with various scholars reflect his intellectual pursuits and provide opportunities for discussions on literature, philosophy, and religion. These relationships contribute to the novel's exploration of the clash between intellectualism and religious doctrine.

In conclusion, "The British Museum Is Falling Down" by David Lodge features a range of characters who play significant roles in shaping the narrative. Adam Appleby, as the protagonist, undergoes a character arc driven by his internal conflicts. The relationships he has with Barbara, Father Tommy, the Confessor, and various scholars provide depth and complexity to the novel, highlighting the themes of faith, love, and intellectualism.