"Under the Skin" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

Isserley: Isserley is the protagonist of the novel "Under the Skin." She works as a driver, picking up hitchhikers on remote Scottish roads. However, as the story progresses, her true role and identity are gradually revealed.

Amlis Vess: Amlis Vess serves as the antagonist of the story. His intentions and true form are shrouded in mystery, making him a menacing figure.

The Female Hitchhikers: The female hitchhikers play a significant supporting role in the narrative. They are unwitting victims of Isserley's sinister intentions, driving the plot forward.

The Farmer: The farmer is a supporting character who interacts with Isserley on multiple occasions. His character sheds light on the harsh realities of the farming industry and the ethics surrounding it.

The Cyclist: The cyclist is another supporting character who encounters Isserley during her travels. His presence leads to a crucial turning point in the story.

The Holidaymakers: The holidaymakers are a group of individuals who make a brief appearance in the narrative. Their encounter with Isserley highlights the contrast between the idyllic holiday lifestyle and the hidden horrors beneath the surface.

Character Descriptions

Isserley

Isserley is described as a peculiar-looking woman with unique physical features. She has a small frame, delicate bones, and unnaturally large breasts. Her appearance is intentionally crafted to attract specific types of hitchhikers. Despite her outward oddness, she possesses an air of vulnerability, which serves as a clever disguise for her true nature.

Amlis Vess

Amlis Vess is initially depicted as a hitchhiker whom Isserley picks up. However, it later becomes clear that he is not what he seems and is, in fact, the antagonist of the story. He exudes an unsettling aura, leaving the reader speculating about his true nature throughout the novel.

The Female Hitchhikers

The female hitchhikers are ordinary-looking women who fall into Isserley's trap. They are innocent victims of her nefarious scheme and unwittingly serve as a means to fulfill her mission.

The Farmer

The farmer is a middle-aged man who plays a significant role in the narrative. He is part of the farming industry that employs Isserley, and his character provides insights into the morality of their actions. The farmer also becomes an unwitting connection to Isserley's past, challenging her beliefs and motivations.

The Cyclist

The cyclist is a young man whose encounter with Isserley sparks a profound change in her trajectory. His presence forces Isserley to question her actions and the consequences of her choices, leading to the development of her character arc.

The Holidaymakers

The holidaymakers represent a group of people seeking leisure and escape from the mundanity of everyday life. Their brief interaction with Isserley highlights the stark contrast between their innocent pursuit of happiness and the dark secrets lurking beneath society's facade.

Character Traits

Isserley

• Manipulative: Isserley uses her physical appearance to lure hitchhikers into her car, showing her ability to deceive.
• Tenacious: Isserley persists in her mission despite the toll it takes on her physically and emotionally.
• Compassionate: Although she is involved in morally questionable activities, Isserley shows compassion and empathy toward the hitchhikers she encounters.

Amlis Vess

• Mysterious: Amlis Vess remains enigmatic throughout the story, keeping the reader guessing about his true motivations and identity.
• Sinister: His presence evokes a sense of unease and menace, creating a constant undercurrent of danger.

The Female Hitchhikers

• Trusting: The female hitchhikers demonstrate a willingness to accept help from strangers, unaware of the danger that accompanies their vulnerability.
• Vulnerable: They represent innocent victims who are exploited by Isserley for her ulterior motives.

The Farmer

• Pragmatic: The farmer's pragmatism enables him to justify his actions within the farming industry, even if it means sacrificing ethical considerations.
• Curious: He exhibits a genuine curiosity about Isserley's past, leading to a deeper exploration of her character.

The Cyclist

• Perceptive: The cyclist senses the unease and danger surrounding Isserley, challenging her with his discernment.
• Fearful: His fear and desperation for survival mirror the dread that the other hitchhikers likely experience.

The Holidaymakers

• Naive: The holidaymakers embody innocence and naivety, epitomizing those who remain oblivious to the darker realities of the world.
• Blissful: They represent fleeting moments of happiness and escapism, further amplifying the contrast with the disturbing events in the book.

Character Background

Isserley

Isserley's background is gradually revealed throughout the story. It is discovered that she comes from an alien species sent to Earth to harvest human flesh for their consumption. Her role as a driver is part of this sinister mission, preying on unsuspecting hitchhikers. Beyond her specific mission, Isserley's past and motivations are explored, delving into themes of loneliness, survival, and the consequences of choice.

Amlis Vess

Amlis Vess remains a mysterious character throughout the novel, with little background information provided. His existence, purpose, and relationship with Isserley remain shrouded in uncertainty, adding to the sense of intrigue surrounding him.

The Female Hitchhikers

The female hitchhikers have ordinary backgrounds, offering a counterpoint to Isserley's extraterrestrial origins. They represent the average individuals who fall victim to Isserley's scheme and are unwittingly thrust into perilous situations.

The Farmer

The farmer represents the collective ignorance within the farming industry. He embodies the utilitarian mindset that prioritizes profit and sheer survival over ethical considerations. His interaction with Isserley reveals the inherent guilt and moral dilemma associated with their line of work.

The Cyclist

Little is known about the cyclist's background, but his encounter with Isserley propels her character development and prompts her to question the morality of her actions. Through their interaction, readers gain further insights into the consequences of her choices.

The Holidaymakers

The holidaymakers represent a transient group of individuals seeking brief moments of respite from the mundanity of their lives. While their backgrounds are not explored in detail, their contrast to the haunting world inhabited by Isserley provides a reflection of the reader's ordinary reality.

Character Arcs

Isserley

Isserley undergoes a significant character arc throughout the story. Initially consumed by her mission and driven by survival instincts, she gradually develops empathy for the hitchhikers, questioning her actions and moral compass. As her arc progresses, Isserley must confront her own guilt and wrestle with the consequences of her choices, ultimately leading to her transformation.

Amlis Vess

Although Amlis Vess remains a mysterious and malevolent presence in the novel, his character does not undergo a significant arc. His role serves primarily to antagonize Isserley and intensify the suspense and tension within the narrative.

The Female Hitchhikers, The Farmer, The Cyclist, The Holidaymakers

As supporting characters, these individuals do not undergo substantial character arcs. Their purpose lies in their interactions with Isserley, providing insights into her motivations, challenging her beliefs, and driving the plot forward.

Relationships

Isserley and the Female Hitchhikers

The relationship between Isserley and the female hitchhikers is one of predator and prey. While Isserley preys upon them for her own survival, her increasing empathy creates a complex dynamic and raises questions about power and control.

Isserley and the Farmer

The interaction between Isserley and the farmer explores the clash between pragmatism and morality. Their relationship forces Isserley to confront the ethical implications of her actions, challenging her convictions and highlighting the complexity of her character.

Isserley and the Cyclist

The relationship between Isserley and the cyclist serves as a turning point in the narrative. The cyclist's perception and fear force Isserley to reevaluate her choices, sparking her transformation and leading her on a different path.

Isserley and Amlis Vess

Isserley's relationship with Amlis Vess is filled with tension and mystery. Although the exact nature of their connection is not fully revealed, Amlis Vess serves as the catalyst for Isserley's journey of self-discovery.

Isserley and the Holidaymakers

Isserley's brief encounter with the holidaymakers highlights the stark contrast between the innocence and bliss they represent and the hidden horrors lurking beneath society's surface.

In conclusion, "Under the Skin" presents a range of compelling and enigmatic characters, each with their own role and significance within the narrative. From the protagonist Isserley's complex character arc to the mysterious Amlis Vess, the novel weaves a chilling tale that explores themes of morality, empathy, and the consequences of our choices.