List of Characters

Role Identification

Barry Fairbrother

Barry Fairbrother serves as the protagonist in "The Casual Vacancy." His sudden death triggers a series of events that affect the entire community of Pagford.

Howard Mollison

Howard Mollison, along with his wife Samantha, acts as one of the main antagonists in the story. As a local council member, he is at the center of the town's political maneuverings.

Samantha Mollison

Samantha Mollison, Howard's wife, also plays the role of an antagonist. She is deeply involved in the social and political dynamics of Pagford.

Andrew 'Arf' Price

Arf Price is a supporting character in the novel, and his actions have a significant impact on the unfolding events in Pagford.

Krystal Weedon

Krystal Weedon is a key supporting character whose struggles and challenges shed light on the socioeconomic disparities within the town.

Terri Weedon

Terri Weedon, Krystal's mother, is a supporting character whose troubled life forms a crucial part of the narrative.

Parminder Jawanda

Parminder Jawanda, a doctor, is a supporting character who is involved in the town's political and social issues.

Colin Wall

Colin Wall, along with his wife Tessa, is a supporting character who becomes entangled in the conflicts that arise following Barry Fairbrother's death.

Tessa Wall

Tessa Wall, Colin's wife, is a supporting character whose actions and decisions contribute to the intricate web of relationships in the story.

Mary Fairbrother

Mary Fairbrother, Barry's widow, is a supporting character whose grief and subsequent actions are integral to the plot.

Character Descriptions

Barry Fairbrother

Barry Fairbrother is portrayed as a principled and compassionate man. His untimely death leaves a void in the community, and his absence sets off a chain of events that reveal the underlying tensions and secrets within Pagford.

Howard Mollison

Howard Mollison is depicted as a self-serving and manipulative figure who seeks to maintain his influence in the town at any cost. He is the owner of the local delicatessen and uses his position to further his own agenda.

Samantha Mollison

Samantha Mollison is characterized as a calculating and status-conscious woman who is deeply involved in the town's social hierarchy. Her interactions often reflect her desire to assert her influence over others.

Andrew 'Arf' Price

Arf Price is presented as a troubled young man grappling with personal demons. His actions and choices have repercussions that reverberate throughout the community.

Krystal Weedon

Krystal Weedon is portrayed as a resilient and determined teenager who confronts significant challenges in her personal life. Her struggles serve as a lens through which the socioeconomic disparities in Pagford are explored.

Terri Weedon

Terri Weedon is depicted as a vulnerable and troubled woman battling addiction and poverty. Her character illuminates the harsh realities faced by those on the margins of society.

Parminder Jawanda

Parminder Jawanda is characterized as a dedicated and driven doctor who is deeply committed to her patients. Her involvement in the town's affairs reflects her desire to advocate for those in need.

Colin Wall

Colin Wall is presented as a conflicted and somewhat passive individual who becomes embroiled in the conflicts that arise following Barry Fairbrother's death.

Tessa Wall

Tessa Wall is depicted as a pragmatic and somewhat disillusioned woman whose actions and decisions are influenced by her personal experiences and relationships within Pagford.

Mary Fairbrother

Mary Fairbrother is portrayed as a grieving widow struggling to come to terms with her husband's sudden death. Her character undergoes significant development as she grapples with loss and the revelations that follow.

Character Traits

Character Background

Barry Fairbrother

Barry Fairbrother is a beloved figure in Pagford, known for his integrity and commitment to social justice. His background as a local council member and his genuine concern for the less fortunate make him a respected member of the community.

Howard Mollison

Howard Mollison's background is rooted in his ownership of the local deli, which grants him a degree of influence and affluence in Pagford. His desire to maintain his standing drives much of his actions throughout the story.

Samantha Mollison

Samantha Mollison's background is characterized by her aspirations for social prominence and her involvement in various town activities. Her desire to uphold a certain image fuels her interactions with others.

Andrew 'Arf' Price

Arf Price's background is marked by a tumultuous upbringing and a series of personal struggles that contribute to his behavior and decisions within the narrative.

Krystal Weedon

Krystal Weedon's background is steeped in poverty and adversity, as she navigates a challenging home life and societal stigmatization.

Terri Weedon

Terri Weedon's background is defined by her battles with addiction, poverty, and the loss of parental rights, resulting in a life marked by hardship and instability.

Parminder Jawanda

Parminder Jawanda's background as a dedicated doctor and advocate for social causes shapes her perspective and actions within the town of Pagford.

Colin Wall

Colin Wall's background is one of relative complacency and conformity, as he grapples with personal and familial dynamics that influence his choices.

Tessa Wall

Tessa Wall's background is influenced by her relationships and experiences within Pagford, leading to a pragmatic and somewhat resigned outlook on the town's affairs.

Mary Fairbrother

Mary Fairbrother's background as Barry's widow and her subsequent grief form a significant part of her character, as she contends with loss and the revelations that follow.

Character Arcs

Barry Fairbrother

Barry Fairbrother's character arc is defined by his sudden absence and the subsequent revelations about his life, impacting the way he is remembered and understood by the community.

Howard Mollison

Howard Mollison's character arc revolves around his attempts to maintain his influence and reputation in the face of escalating tensions within Pagford.

Samantha Mollison

Samantha Mollison's character arc is shaped by her desire to protect her family's standing and her willingness to engage in political maneuvering to achieve her goals.

Andrew 'Arf' Price

Arf Price's character arc unfolds as he grapples with personal demons and becomes entangled in events that force him to confront the consequences of his actions.

Krystal Weedon

Krystal Weedon's character arc is marked by her resilience and determination in the face of adversity, as she navigates the challenges imposed by her circumstances.

Terri Weedon

Terri Weedon's character arc is defined by her struggles with addiction and poverty, as well as the impact of her choices on her daughter and the broader community.

Parminder Jawanda

Parminder Jawanda's character arc is influenced by her dedication to her patients and her efforts to advocate for social causes, which lead her to confront various ethical and personal dilemmas.

Colin Wall

Colin Wall's character arc centers on his gradual awakening to the complexities of the town's dynamics and his evolving stance on the events unfolding in Pagford.

Tessa Wall

Tessa Wall's character arc unfolds as she confronts the consequences of her actions and grapples with the expectations and pressures that arise within the town.

Mary Fairbrother

Mary Fairbrother's character arc is characterized by her journey through grief and the revelations that challenge her perception of her late husband and their life together.

Relationships

Barry Fairbrother and Howard Mollison

Barry and Howard's relationship is marked by underlying tensions and opposing values, which come to the forefront following Barry's death and the ensuing power struggle.

Samantha Mollison and Howard Mollison

Samantha and Howard's relationship is defined by their shared desire to maintain their social standing and their willingness to navigate the town's political landscape to achieve their ambitions.

Krystal Weedon and Terri Weedon

Krystal and Terri's relationship is shaped by their familial bond and the challenges they face as a result of their circumstances, highlighting the impact of poverty and addiction on their lives.

Parminder Jawanda and Colin Wall

Parminder and Colin's relationship is influenced by their respective roles in the town and their differing perspectives on the events unfolding in Pagford.

Tessa Wall and Colin Wall

Tessa and Colin's relationship is characterized by their shared experiences and the evolving dynamics within their family, as they navigate the complexities of the town's conflicts.

Mary Fairbrother and Barry Fairbrother

Mary and Barry's relationship is central to the narrative, as Mary grapples with her grief and the revelations that shed light on Barry's life and their marriage.

Arf Price and Krystal Weedon

Arf and Krystal's relationship is significant in the story, as their interactions reflect the challenges faced by the younger generation in Pagford and the impact of their choices on the community.

The characters in "The Casual Vacancy" are intricately woven into the fabric of Pagford, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the narrative through their distinct roles, backgrounds, and relationships. As their paths intersect and diverge, the story unfolds to reveal the complexities of human nature and the dynamics of a community grappling with power, loss, and the pursuit of identity and belonging.