"The Citadel" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Citadel" by A.J. Cronin, the main character, Andrew Manson, is a young and ambitious doctor who faces various challenges and moral dilemmas as he strives to improve the healthcare system. Other significant characters include Andrew's wife, Christine Manson, his mentor Dr. Denny, his colleague Dr. Frederick Lawford, and his rival Dr. Philip Booker.

Character Descriptions

Andrew Manson

Andrew Manson is the protagonist of the novel. He starts as an idealistic and passionate doctor who wants to make a difference in the medical profession. Andrew is determined to bring better healthcare to the mining town of Blaenelly and later becomes disillusioned with the medical establishment. He is described as intelligent, hardworking, and driven.

Christine Manson

Christine Manson is Andrew's wife. She is initially supportive of Andrew's career aspirations but later becomes frustrated with his single-minded dedication to his work. Christine is portrayed as a strong-willed and independent woman who challenges Andrew's beliefs and choices.

Dr. Denny

Dr. Denny is Andrew's mentor and an experienced physician. He becomes a guiding figure in Andrew's life, teaching him the realities of the medical profession and the importance of ethical practices. Dr. Denny is portrayed as wise, compassionate, and dedicated to his patients.

Dr. Philip Denny

Dr. Philip Denny is Dr. Denny's son and Andrew's colleague. He is a talented doctor who shares Andrew's passion for medical research. Dr. Philip Denny is depicted as ambitious and driven, sometimes at the expense of his personal relationships.

Dr. Frederick Lawford

Dr. Frederick Lawford is a senior physician and Andrew's colleague at the hospital. He is initially wary of Andrew's unconventional ideas but eventually becomes a supporter. Dr. Lawford is portrayed as a traditionalist who is resistant to change but ultimately recognizes the need for progress in medicine.

Dr. Page

Dr. Page is a senior physician at the hospital where Andrew works. He represents the entrenched medical establishment and opposes Andrew's attempts to improve healthcare. Dr. Page is depicted as arrogant and resistant to change.

Owen Llewellyn

Owen Llewellyn is Andrew's close friend and a fellow doctor. He shares Andrew's passion for social justice and advocates for better healthcare for the mining community. Owen is portrayed as compassionate, idealistic, and willing to fight for what he believes in.

Dr. Philip Booker

Dr. Philip Booker is a rival doctor who competes with Andrew for professional recognition. He represents the unethical side of the medical profession and is willing to compromise patient care for personal gain. Dr. Booker is portrayed as manipulative and morally corrupt.

Dr. Francis Leakey

Dr. Francis Leakey is another friend of Andrew's and a fellow doctor. He supports Andrew in his efforts to improve healthcare and shares his idealism. Dr. Leakey is depicted as empathetic, kind-hearted, and dedicated to his patients.

Sir Robert Abbey, Dr. Steven Grosvenor, Sir Charles Conway

These characters are hospital board members who hold positions of power and influence. They represent the bureaucratic side of medicine and often prioritize financial considerations over patient welfare.

Dr. Philip Llewellyn

Dr. Philip Llewellyn is Owen's father and a respected physician in the town. He becomes a symbol of the older generation of doctors who resist change and cling to traditional practices.

Dr. Long

Dr. Long is a senior physician at the hospital and a prominent figure in the medical establishment. He represents the conservative attitudes prevalent in the medical profession and opposes Andrew's progressive ideas.

Character Traits

• Andrew Manson: Intelligent, ambitious, idealistic, hardworking, determined.
• Christine Manson: Strong-willed, independent, supportive, frustrated.
• Dr. Denny: Wise, compassionate, dedicated, experienced.
• Dr. Philip Denny: Talented, ambitious, driven.
• Dr. Frederick Lawford: Traditionalist, supportive, initially resistant to change.
• Dr. Page: Arrogant, resistant to change, representative of the medical establishment.
• Owen Llewellyn: Compassionate, idealistic, determined, supportive.
• Dr. Philip Booker: Manipulative, morally corrupt, unethical.
• Dr. Francis Leakey: Empathetic, kind-hearted, idealistic.
• Sir Robert Abbey, Dr. Steven Grosvenor, Sir Charles Conway: Powerful, bureaucratic, prioritizing financial considerations.
• Dr. Philip Llewellyn: Traditional, resistant to change.
• Dr. Long: Conservative, resistant to change.

Character Background

Andrew Manson comes from a humble background and has worked hard to pursue a career in medicine. He is driven by a desire to improve healthcare, especially for the underprivileged. Christine Manson is a strong and independent woman who challenges societal expectations for women at the time. Dr. Denny is an experienced physician who has seen the shortcomings of the medical profession and wants to guide Andrew towards ethical practices. Dr. Philip Denny is ambitious and strives to make a name for himself in the medical field. Dr. Frederick Lawford is initially resistant to change but eventually recognizes the need for progress. Dr. Page represents the entrenched medical establishment and opposes Andrew's progressive ideas. Owen Llewellyn shares Andrew's passion for social justice and fights for better healthcare. Dr. Philip Booker represents the dark side of the medical profession, prioritizing personal gain over patient care.

Character Arcs

Andrew Manson's character arc in "The Citadel" is one of idealism, disillusionment, and personal growth. He starts as an idealistic young doctor who wants to make a difference but faces numerous challenges and moral dilemmas along the way. As Andrew becomes more disillusioned with the medical establishment, he starts questioning his own values and choices. Through these experiences, he undergoes a transformation and emerges as a more mature and compassionate doctor who is willing to fight for what is right.

Christine Manson also undergoes a character arc as she supports Andrew's ambitions but later becomes frustrated with his single-minded dedication to his work. She asserts her independence and challenges Andrew's choices, ultimately finding her own voice and pursuing her own dreams.

Dr. Denny serves as a mentor figure for Andrew, guiding him through the complexities of the medical profession. His character arc involves imparting wisdom to Andrew and instilling in him the importance of ethical practices.

Other characters, such as Dr. Philip Denny, Dr. Frederick Lawford, Owen Llewellyn, and Dr. Francis Leakey, also experience their own character arcs as they navigate the challenges of the medical profession and confront their own beliefs and values.

Relationships

Andrew Manson and Christine Manson's relationship is initially supportive but becomes strained as Andrew's career takes precedence over their personal life. However, their relationship ultimately evolves as they both grow and find a balance between their individual aspirations and their commitment to each other.

Andrew's relationship with Dr. Denny is one of mentorship and respect. Dr. Denny provides guidance and wisdom to Andrew, shaping his understanding of medicine and ethics.

Andrew's friendships with Owen Llewellyn, Dr. Philip Denny, Dr. Francis Leakey, and other colleagues provide him with support and camaraderie as they all navigate the challenges of the medical profession together.

Andrew's rivalry with Dr. Philip Booker adds tension to the story and highlights the contrast between their ethical approaches to medicine.

The relationships with hospital board members, such as Sir Robert Abbey, Dr. Steven Grosvenor, and Sir Charles Conway, reflect the power dynamics and bureaucratic challenges Andrew faces in his quest to improve healthcare.

Overall, "The Citadel" explores various interpersonal dynamics and relationships that shape Andrew Manson's journey and the broader themes of the novel.