Estimated read time: 7 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Maurice Bendrix | Protagonist |
| Sarah Miles | Love Interest |
| Henry Miles | Husband |
| Richard Smythe | Friend |
| Parkis | Private Detective |
Role Identification
"The End of the Affair," written by Graham Greene, is a story that revolves around Maurice Bendrix, the protagonist, and his illicit affair with Sarah Miles, the love interest. The book explores the complexities of love, jealousy, faith, and the consequences of decisions made in the heat of passion.
Character Descriptions
Maurice Bendrix: He is a writer and the narrator of the story. Maurice is an introspective and deeply emotional character. He is consumed by his passion for Sarah and struggles with his jealousy. Maurice is haunted by the affair long after it ends.
Sarah Miles: Sarah is an enigmatic character. She is beautiful, charismatic, and initially portrayed as a woman seeking passion outside her marriage. Sarah is deeply conflicted and torn between her love for Maurice and her devotion to her husband, Henry. She is unpredictable and mysterious throughout the story.
Henry Miles: Henry is Sarah's husband. He is presented as a civil servant who is oblivious to his wife's affair. Henry is depicted as a conventional and reliable man, lacking the intensity and passion that Maurice brings into Sarah's life.
Richard Smythe: Richard is Maurice's friend, an author, and a fellow writer. He is portrayed as a rational and level-headed character. Richard plays an important role in the progression of the story, offering advice and insights to Maurice.
Parkis: Parkis is a private detective hired by Maurice to investigate Sarah's activities. He is a diligent and observant character who becomes entangled in the secrets and complexities of Maurice and Sarah's affair.
Character Traits
Maurice Bendrix: Maurice is passionate, intense, jealous, and deeply emotional. He thrives on the intensity of his relationship with Sarah, but his insecurities and jealousy consume him. Maurice is also introspective and reflective, analyzing his own thoughts and feelings throughout the story.
Sarah Miles: Sarah is passionate, conflicted, secretive, and unpredictable. She experiences intense emotions and is torn between her love for Maurice and her loyalty to her husband. Sarah often acts on impulse and keeps her true feelings hidden.
Henry Miles: Henry is conventional, oblivious, and steady. He is content in his routine and lacks the depth of emotions that both Maurice and Sarah possess. Henry remains unaware of the affair, representing stability and normalcy in contrast to the passionate relationship between Maurice and Sarah.
Richard Smythe: Richard is rational, insightful, and supportive. He provides a contrasting perspective to Maurice's intense emotions and offers advice and guidance, trying to provide clarity amidst the chaos.
Parkis: Parkis is diligent, observant, and caught in the middle of Maurice's investigation. He represents the intrusion of reality into the clandestine affair and adds a layer of tension and secrecy to the story.
Character Background
Maurice Bendrix: Maurice is a novelist known for his gritty and realistic war stories. He is initially attracted to Sarah for her beauty but becomes deeply infatuated with her as their relationship grows. Maurice is divorced, having previously experienced the pain of a broken relationship, which adds to his vulnerability.
Sarah Miles: Sarah is a beautiful and mysterious woman. She is married to Henry, a civil servant. Sarah encounters Maurice at a party, and their passionate affair begins. However, her background remains largely unknown, making her even more captivating to Maurice.
Henry Miles: Henry is presented as a loyal husband, devoted to his work and his routine. He is unaware of Sarah's affair with Maurice, and his background is not explored in detail.
Richard Smythe: Richard is an established author and Maurice's close friend. He provides stability and advice to Maurice throughout the story. Richard's background is less explored, focused more on his role as a friend and confidant.
Parkis: Parkis is a private detective hired by Maurice to investigate Sarah. His background is not thoroughly explored, but his role provides a necessary element of mystery in the story.
Character Arcs
Maurice Bendrix: Maurice's character arc revolves around his obsession with Sarah and his journey towards acceptance and forgiveness. He experiences intense jealousy, betrayal, and loss throughout the story. As the narrative unfolds, Maurice grows and gains insights into the complexities of love and faith.
Sarah Miles: Sarah's character arc encompasses her struggle between her love for Maurice and her loyalty to her husband. She goes through a series of internal conflicts, resulting in moral dilemmas and difficult choices. Sarah's arc explores the consequences of her actions and her eventual growth and self-discovery.
Henry Miles: Although less prominent, Henry's character arc touches upon the aftermath of the affair and his own realization of his wife's infidelity. He faces the challenge of accepting the truth and deciding how to move forward.
Richard Smythe: Richard plays a supportive role, without a significant character arc of his own. His purpose is to provide insight and guidance to Maurice, helping him navigate the emotional complexities of the affair.
Parkis: Parkis's character arc revolves around his involvement in the investigation and his growing understanding of the affair. He undergoes a transformation as he uncovers the truth, ultimately affecting the course of the story and the characters involved.
Relationships
The relationships in "The End of the Affair" are complex and layered, driving the narrative's emotional intensity and exploring the depths of love, passion, and betrayal.
Maurice and Sarah: Their relationship forms the central core of the story. It is fueled by passion, obsession, secrecy, and guilt. Their connection intertwines with themes of love, jealousy, faith, and the consequences of infidelity.
Maurice and Henry: Though Maurice has limited interactions with Henry, their relationship embodies the tension and conflict between loyalty and desire. Maurice's guilt and jealousy stem from the knowledge that he is betraying his friend.
Sarah and Henry: Their marriage illustrates the façade of a seemingly content life and explores the complexities of loyalty and trust. Sarah's affair puts their relationship to the test, highlighting the fragile nature of their bond.
Maurice and Richard: Maurice's friendship with Richard offers a contrast to his passionate relationship with Sarah. Richard serves as an advisor and confidant, lending a rational perspective to Maurice's emotional turmoil.
Maurice and Parkis: Despite being on opposite sides, their relationship becomes entangled through Parkis's role in investigating Sarah. The dynamics between Maurice and Parkis add an element of suspense and secrecy to the storyline.
In conclusion, "The End of the Affair" is a captivating novel that delves into the complexities of love, desire, and the consequences of choices made in the name of passion. The characters in the story are richly developed and contribute to the exploration of themes such as jealousy, faith, and the complexities of human relationships. Maurice, Sarah, Henry, Richard, and Parkis each play crucial roles in driving the narrative and shaping the character arcs that unfold throughout the book.
