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Kym Louie Throughout A Dance to the Music of Time, Widmerpool is a prominent and recurring character. Because of this, Nick is able to observe changes in Widmerpool's conduct, social status, and ambition in great depth. Many other characters we see so rarely that we only are aware of one dimension of their character. Widmerpool is the most developed character in the book and we see him go through more changes than Nick reveals about himself. Throughout the series, Widmerpool falls victim to more than his share of physical assaults, each at a defining period of his life. His reactions to these assaults show his personality at the time with an appreciable degree of accuracy, once for each important change in his character. Widmerpool is first assaulted in A Buyer's Market with a banana at Eton by his peers: "[A thrown banana] missed its target and hit Widmerpool. The banana was over-ripe and it burst all over his face, knocking his spectacles sideways. Budd came down the shop, still laughing, and said: 'Sorry, Widmerpool. That banana wasn't intended for you.' Widmerpool was obviously astonished to hear himself addressed by name, and so politely, by no less a person than the Captain of the Eleven. Do you know an absolutely slavish look came into Widmerpool's face. 'I don't mind,' he said, 'I don't mind at all, Budd. It doesn't matter in the least.' It was as if Widmerpool had experienced some secret and awful pleasure. As we went through the door, he was rubbing his gritty little knuckles together, still smiling at his great encounter with Budd (AW, 10-12)." This amusing spectacle, as retold by Stringham, shows the Widmerpool who was teased and looked down on for his unfortunate choice in overcoat. The fact that Budd can so easily get away with this shows how, Widmerpool is at the mercy of every one of his peers, socially above no one. In trying to gain acceptance from any of his peers, he continually grovels before them and is desperate for attention, pleased by even something so rude as people laughing at him for getting hit by a banana. He not only allows this action to take place without protest, he seems to enjoy it. Though here Widmerpool seems positively 'slavish' and entirely without dignity or self-respect, the next assault he suffers through shows his personality, outlook, and ambitions changing. Widmerpool's next mishap, again with food, occurs at the Huntercombes' when Barbara empties an enormous sugar castor over Widmerpool's head. Widmerpool, along with many other young men are vying for the position as Barbara's lover, and she takes none of them seriously. As when Nick first met him, he is trying as hard as he can to please, but this time he has something that he wants out of the situation. It is very important to him that Barbara be fair and dance with him as she promised and slighting him in this way is unacceptable: "He snatched her wrist. 'Look here, Barbara,' he said - and he sounded in actual pain. 'You can't leave me like this.' She merely said: 'Why are you so sour tonight? You need some sweetening.' Barbara tipped [the enormous sugar castor] and shook it over him. The massive silver apex of the castor dropped from its base and crashed heavily to the floor: the sugar pouring out on to Widmerpool's head in a dense and overwhelming cascade. The whole contents of the vessel had descended upon his head and shoulders, covering him more completely than might have been thought possible in so brief a space. There could have been no better description of his countenance [than slavish]. Once again the same situation had arisen; parallel acceptance of public humiliation. (ABM, 70-72)." "'To tell the truth, I was upset - very upset - by what happened tonight.' 'It was silly of Barbara.' 'It was more than silly,' said Widmerpool, 'It was a cruel thing to do.' 'I shouldn't take it all too seriously.' 'I shall take it seriously.'(BM, 79)" Just as with the banana incident, Widmerpool accepted the event at the time with a sort of humility. On this occasion, however, he took offense and shows that he does have dignity to defend. Though Widmerpool's attempts at courting Barbara are clearly ineffective, it shows that he does have ambitions that he is prepared to defend. This event marks the beginning of a transformation that brings Widmerpool from the bottom of society, lacking confidence, and withdrawn to a character whose huge ambition and callous personality bring him to positions of power over those who had previously looked down upon him. Widmerpool's career rises as he climbs ranks in the army, fighting in the second world war. He is respected as well as feared by his peers and holds massive amounts of power. In the time between Barbara pouring sugar on him and Glober punching him, Widmerpool has reached many high points in his career and, despite a few setbacks, he continually has regained prominent positions, most recently as a Life Peer. Pamela this time stirs up trouble, deliberately provoking Widmerpool: "'You don't have to be told that Leon-Joseph croaked in bed with me. You tell them about it. After all, you were there.[...] You might think that enough. Watching your wife being screwed. Then there's a tart called Pauline he has games with.' What really upset him was Pamela's next item. 'He's been telling everybody that he hasn't the slightest idea why they thought he was spying. I can explain that too, all his little under-the-counter Communist games.' Widmerpool, stepping backwards, immediately supposed himself to have been in some manner curbed or coerced. [He], finding Glober rather then Stripling, made an angry comment. That was when Glober hit Widmerpool. Widmerpool just staggered a bit. The chief damage was his spectacles (TK, 263-264)." In this situation, Widmerpool provoked the attack more so than in any of the previous ones. Though clearly ruffled by the attack, he maintains his dignity and leaves without making a scene of it and risking tarnishing his reputation. He is at a point where he needs to defend himself, which he does rather offensively, and no longer needs to act with humility and work for acceptance from others. Not needing additional respect or acceptance from his peers, Widmerpool's pride is not so damaged as with Barbara, nor non-existent as with the banana incident. Upon later encountering Glober, Widmerpool does not make up excuses for him, as with Budd, or feel indifferent, as with Barbara, but is quietly angry with him. Matching with this response, he is and has been at the height of his career and works calmly and with composure as best as is publicly required, but can afford to react without compassion and without attempting to get any sort of approval from those around him. This reaction is his most independent; previously he had chosen to deceive himself that the banana incident was a good thing and had complained to Nick about Barbara. After becoming chancellor of a university, Widmerpool meets his final assault, carried out by the Quiggin twins and broadcast in the news. Following his wife's death and official inquiries into his dealings with an East European power, he steps down from the positions of power he had once had strong ambitions for. He is now content working in a university and actually approves of the counter-government attitude of the students. When the Quiggin twins throw paint at him, Widmerpool does not get upset with them and handles the situation with patience and a radical acceptance. "'Lord Widmerpool wishes to give his own comments on what happened.' 'Not the smallest resentment. Even glad that this has taken place. Let me congratulate those two girls on being such excellent shots with the paint pot...' Paint spread all over him, shining in the sun, dripping of face and clothes, since it was not yet dry. He ignored altogether the inconceivable mess he was in. He looked like a clown upon whom divine afflatus had suddenly descended (HSH, 45-46)." As with the banana, Widmerpool responds without insult or anger to this assault, even taking pleasure in it. Unlike that event, however, he grovels before no one, having gained self-respect since then. This event marks a change in Widmerpool, this time from holding positions of power over people and working very hard to accomplish ambitions to much humbler and similar to the Widmerpool hit by Budd's banana. His acceptance of the situation shows that he is no longer fighting against the forces of his peers and trying to gain the upper hand, but believes that it was carried out justly. Beyond this point there is a marked decline in his self-respect, social standing, and ambitions. At Nick's niece's wedding, "Widmerpool [goes] down on all fours in utter self-abasement (230)." He dresses shabbily and goes by 'Ken'. When Ken is not well, Scorp demands that he go for a run, naked, which he does without protest, resulting in his death. He has come to value someone else's requests above his own well-being and life, possessing less self-respect than the Widmerpool that Nick knew at Eton. Widmerpool goes through many drastic changes throughout his lifetime, each stage accompanied by a physical attack. His reactions to the attack show his personality at the time accurately and can be summed to approximate an outline of his life. When Budd hits him with a banana, Widmerpool is lowly and groveling; when Barbara pours sugar on him, he is gaining self-respect and ambitions; when Glober hits him, he is trying to hold on to respectable positions above the majority of society; when the Quiggin twins coat him in paint, he begins a slow fall to the character that he began as and even lower as he reaches death. |
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Dana Feeny Joining this dance after eight books and beginning my journey alongside Nick at The Military Philosophers, I witnessed the reign of Kenneth Widmerpool, the post-war slump of Nicholas Jenkins, and plenty of sexual promiscuity from Pamela. I heard Mrs. Erdley ominously warn Pamela, watched X fall victim to her and followed Gwinnett through his struggle to extract information from her to fuel his Biography. I did not see these characters grow up as many of my classmates did but I do not believe that missing the first eight books ruined the Dance, I may just have a different view on the book than my classmates. I felt that these last four books consist of the winding down of a generation as Nick ages and characters slowly pass away with time. As acquaintance after acquaintance dies from the war or from a car accident or even from strange sexual escapades, I could not help but feel hopeless. I could not help but feel resentful that characters such as Pamela and Widmerpool received such pleasure from the demise of the others, but I also felt compassion for the characters that continued the dance. The endless possibility that I am sure was present in the beginning of this twelve book escapade fades as the future becomes the past, the diverging paths of opportunity that lie ahead become the single trail blazed in stone behind us, and the young boy becomes the old man. We follow Nick's social life as he goes from party to party but while we watch his every move, the lives of others continue to change. A large part of these stories is the casual updating of the lives of those whom we have met but not been able to keep up with as meticulously as we have with Nick. This is part of what makes this story so real. We know Nicks life intimately, and we are pretty acquainted even with those closest to him, but we are unable to follow each character that whisks through Nicks dance briefly as they continue on their own paths. I am amazed by Powell's attention to detail as he often updates us on these trifling characters. Nick is constantly learning of the fate of old friends, and I believe Powell does this to remind us that Nick does not age alone. We are given the opportunity to glance into the lives through their random run-ins with Nick. This almost morbid motif of updating the reader of the passing lives of old friends, acquaintances, and even strangers as Nick ages is clearly a theme of the dance. Powell even acknowledges this tendency himself on page 30 of the closing book as he begins the second chapter with analysis of aging and time. "Two compensations for growing old are worth putting on record as the condition asserts itself. The first is a vantage point gained for acquiring embellishments to narratives that have been unfolding for years beside one's own, trimmings that can even appear to supply the conclusion of a given story, though finality is never certain, a dimension always possible to add. The other mild advantage endorses a keener perception for the authenticities of mythology, not only the traditional sort, but - when such are any good - the latterday mythologies of poetry and the novel." He proceeds to discuss the literature that Nick is reading and briefly strays to discuss time as portrayed by various artists. "Astolpho sees Time as work." He notes. Clearly pondering the nature of time, Jenkins acknowledges that time can be viewed differently by different artists. "Poussin's Time (a painter's Time) is shown in a sufficiently unhurried frame of mind to be sitting down while he strums his instrument. The smile might be thought a trifle sinister, nevertheless the mood is genial, composed." And lastly, "Ariosto's Time (a writer's Time) is far less relaxed, indeed appallingly restless." (33) Time is not the same in the eyes of every viewer, and the epic twelve-book story of Nicholas Jenkins is the dance to the music of Anthony Powell's time. |
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Becca Zinsmeister In Hearing Secret Harmonies Powell introduces Scorpio Murtlock, a young man with a dominating personality. Murtlock's character is very reminiscent of the notorious Pamela Widmerpool. Outwardly both are known for their beauty. Pamela would attract men wherever she went. Hardly anyone was able to resist her and those that she ensnared rarely walked away from the encounter unscathed. Paul Fenneau described Murtlock as "a beautiful boy" to Nick. (129 HSH) Murtlock's ability to attract other was further confirmed by Henderson when states that he believed everyone to be "in love with Scorp," just as he was. (261 HSH) The similarities, however, do not stop at the their pleasing features. Both Pamela and Murtlock share similar personalities and behavioral traits. The most apparent mutual characteristic is their ability to completely dominate other people. Pamela's wake, comprised of both men and women, is not merely destructive but deadly. Most recently we look on as she ruined X. Trapnel, by destroying his beloved manuscript and spirit. Nick remarks that it was "Trapnel's turn to join the dynasty of Pamela's dead lovers." (102 TK) Pamela's ability to dominate men, however, is best exemplified in her relationship to Widmerpool, for after numerous affairs on her part and purposeful embarrassments, he remained married to her. Powell does not present the reader with as detailed a history for Murtlock's victims. Fenneau vaguely tells Nick of the choirmaster that Murtlock developed an "unhappy influence over" and how Murtlock destroyed the man's reputation and cost him his job. (132 HSH) Murtlock also exhibits complete control over his following. His control over Widmerpool is astounding as Murtlock forces him to do penance for past misdeeds and starkly refuses to allow Widmerpool to leave, which eventually leads to his death. Even those like Henderson and Fiona, who have left the cult, haven't quite escaped his thrall. Henderson jumps at the chance when he believes that Nick has news about Murtlock and Fiona appears frightened when she encounters Murtlock at the wedding, literally reaching out to Gwinnett for support. The pursuit of Gwinnett is another thing that Pamela and Murtlock share. Gwinnett is the first male that Pamela has actively chased after and one of the few who seems immune to her sinister nature. In fact Gwinnett appears to have gotten something that he wanted from Pamela, as Powell hints towards the reasons behind Pamela's suicide. Normally, men involved with Pamela are completely destroyed, however Gwinnett went on to write an award-winning novel. Similarly, Murtlock hunts down Gwinnett, sending Fiona to Delavacquerie several times in order to get in touch with Gwinnett. After the ritual at the Devil's Fingers, Gwinnett tells Nick how Murtlock wanted him to be "present at the rites that they were plnning." (166 HSH) Much like with Pamela, Gwinnett is able to resist Murtlock and does not feel the need to submit to Murtlock's way of life. Ironically, after meeting Murtlock Gwinnett gets married, something that the cult preaches against. Several scenes in which Powell depicts Murtlock are remarkably similar to ones previously displaying Pamela. For example, when Murtlock addresses his followers at the wedding he begins with a light albeit "sneering bantering manner" before becoming "consumed with cold reage," reminding everyone, especially Widmerpool, that he is in charge. (237 HSH) Pamela adopts the same method at the Steven's party as she enters into conversation with Polly Duport while waiting for her ride. She begins with a "gentle" almost "shy" tone as though trying to lure those around her into a false sense of security. (256 TK) Then suddenly the situation became "highly charged" and Pamela's quiet inquires turned malicious. (257 TK) The parallels between Pamela and Murtlock grow in number as the events in Hearing Secret Harmonies unfold. After Pamela's death Powell appears to have resurrected her spirit and placed it into Scorpio Murtlock. |
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James Seman In Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time, one of the characters that Nick Jenkins has a little more than a passing acquaintance with is Bithel. Nick meets Bithel when he serves in his Territorial Army unit. When Nick first meets Bithel, he is rumored to be the bother of a VC, someone who has received the Victoria Cross for courage under fire. However Bithel is not a superlative soldier; in fact, he is not even an average soldier, but one who is often reprimanded or otherwise disciplined. When Nick next encounters Bithel, he is commanding the mobile laundry unit that is attached to Nick's division. After the war, Bithel and Nick part ways until the final installment of The Dance. In the final installment, Bithel falls under the influence of Scorpio Murtlock. By the time Nick and Bithel finally reacquaint themselves with each other, Bithel has not changed significantly, given the number of years that have passed. At the same time though, his role in the story has changed drastically. When Nick first meets Bithel, he primarily serves in the role of illustrating that although the war is draining to Nick's soul, he could be worse off. Nick first meets Bithel in a bar, where he subsequently gets roaring drunk (VB 20). While drunk, he discloses to Nick that he would have been a "varsity man" but financial issues made it impossible. However, Bithel always believed that he would be able to make a name for himself if only he had had a university education. Unfortunately for Bithel, he does not amount to much in his life, as he spends his life floating from employment to unemployment and back again (VB 34, HSH 258). His defining moment in the army is when Nick and some of the other officers in his company decide to "rag" Bithel to make him feel like part of the group. "Bithel seems a good chap. He would like some sort of a rag. Make him feel at home" (TVB 24). For the rag, Nick and his fellow officers place clothing and a pair of boots on Bithel's bed, simulating the appearance of a fat officer asleep in his bed. In response to this, Bithel performs some odd shuffling dance, and then forgets about it when he wakes up with a hang over in the morning (VB 36-7). Later on he then recalls the evening as one of the highlights of his army career. That this event could be a defining moment for him shows just how plain his life actually is. In the last book, Bithel has become a member of Scorpio Murtlock's Harmony cult. He is the only member of the cult that Scorp allows some leniency to: "Bith was the only man or woman I've ever seen Scorp behave in a decent way to" (HSH 258). He is considered special by Scorp, and is thus given special dispensation towards drinking and other liberties. This "specialness" gives Bithel a measure of power over Scorpio, and gives him the title of the only character able to wrest some power from Scorpio. It is in this role that Bithel is most important to the last book. Bithel escapes from Scorpio's cult to tell the news of Widmerpool's death. Widmerpool, when he was in the army, was in a position to sack Bithel, as he eventually does. When the both of them are members of the cult, Widmerpool is again in a position of power, while Bithel is pretty much as low as can be: "… Bith did odd jobs about the place nobody else wanted to do" (HSH 258). However, Widmerpool has fallen completely under Scorpio's control, whereas Bithel has a small measure of power: "It was Ken's will-power… Ken wanted to be head. I see now he never could have been" (HSH 260). Widmerpool falls completely under Scorpio's spell, and thus falls from his once lofty position to his doom. Bithel, who once was pushed from his position of head of the mobile laundry by Widmerpool, relays the news of this fall. By having Bithel relaying the story of Widmerpool's demise, Powell emphasizes the changes in each of the character's circumstances. Bithel's role in the story changes from illustrating the kind of absolute misery that Nick is not quite experiencing during the war to telling Nick about the demise of Widmerpool. In doing so, Bithel acquires a modicum of respect from the reader, because it is obvious that he successfully wields a tiny bit of power over Scorpio Murtlock. That respect is enhanced when Bithel adds: "I'm not going back. I've left for good. I'm fond of Scorp-fonder than I've ever been of any boy-but he's gone too far. I'm not going back" (HSH 266). This respect that Bithel creates for himself allows him to make a graceful exit from the Dance. |
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Nick Anschuetz Throughout the course of Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time, we meet a countless number of characters, each with their own distinct traits and personalities. Nick is a very likable and genuine man, with no enemies. While there are certain people he dislikes, such as Bob Duport and Odo Stevens, there is one character who both Nick and the reader truly hate: Kenneth Widmerpool. Widmerpool is the only character besides Nick who appears in every book, and our aversion to him seems to grow and grow as we keep reading. His detestable nature grows from his lust for power, which he only admits to in The Military Philosophers. Much to our chagrin, we see him become more and more powerful as the series continues. Our first glimpse of Widmerpool in A Question of Upbringing is that of a not-so-athletic boy running stoically through the mist. We learn of the teasing and humiliation Widmerpool has had to endure, and we develop a soft spot for him. To our knowledge, Widmerpool has done nothing wrong except to wear the wrong overcoat. His pathetic stature is embellished when Barbara Goring pours an entire bowl of sugar on top of his head, Gypsy Jones makes him pay for her abortion even though he clearly was not the father, and he drives his car into an urn at Stourwater in A Buyer's Market. His path to power dementia is completely hidden at the beginning. In The Acceptance World and At Lady Molly's, we learn a bit more about Widmerpool. We see Widmerpool in The Acceptance World at the Le Bas' Old Boy dinner giving an insufferably boring speech about the current economic situation in England. The speech is so boring that it actually gives Le Bas a stroke. However, we do learn that Widmerpool is obsessed with his work at the Donners-Brebner Company, a trait that will later serve him well. In The Acceptance World, we discover that Widmerpool is betrothed to Mildred Blaides, a woman much his senior. However, this relationship is quickly ended when Widmerpool can't quite perform in bed with Mildred. These two books paint the portrait of a man who is obsessed with his work, but is still too pathetic to dislike. Widmerpool's lust for power becomes evident during the World War II trilogy of the series. After seeing him as a trusted employee for Sir Magnus Donners in The Kindly Ones, we don't see Widmerpool again until the end of The Valley of Bones. Until this book, Widmerpool had been obsessed with his work, but insecure in his ability to be seen as a respectable person. However, when Nick discovers, much to his and our surprise, that Widmerpool will be his commanding officer, Widmerpool displays a great deal of confidence in himself as a worker and as a man. He explains that this work is "much more than one man can cope with. It was too much for my predecessor. That was to be expected. Now I thrive on work, but I saw at once that even I must have assistance." (VB, 241) He has quickly grown from a Territorial officer to DAAG of the Divisional Headquarters, and he is completely obsessed with achieving even more. It is evident that the army is the perfect place for a man like Widmerpool; status of power is designated by a rank given in front of ones name. A man has total power over anyone with a lower rank. It is obvious that a man like Widmerpool would relish the fact that his status is embossed on the plaque on his desk. In A Soldier's Art, we begin to see the true nature of Widmerpool. Early in the book, Widmerpool states, "`I look after the people who've been under me…I'll see you get fixed up in a suitable job when I move up the ladder myself…Don't worry, my boy, I'll keep you in the picture.'" (SA, 25) When he reveals that he will be leaving, Nick reminds him that Widmerpool said he would help Nick get a suitable job, to which Widmerpool replies, "`I have no recollection of doing so…'" (SA, 192). According to Nick, "There was something impressive in his total lack of interest in the fate of all persons except himself." (SA, 192) His lack of interest is shown when Nick asks him to help Stringham find a better job in the army. Instead of doing so, Widmerpool sends Stringham off with the Mobile Laundry to the Far East. In The Military Philosophers, Stringham and Templer, Nick's two oldest friends, both die while in the line of duty. We know that Widmerpool, who becomes a colonel, is responsible for sending Stringham to the Far East, and we later learn that Widmerpool is responsible for Templer's death. Widmerpool's utter disregard for human life is equaled only by his thirst for power. Widmerpool kicks Nick out of the room at one point because he has "`some highly secret matters to deal with…'" (MP, 19) and even demands a salute from Nick when they see each other in the street, something he had promised he would never do. He finally admits to his lust for power when he says to Nick, "`I have to the conclusion that I enjoy power.'" (MP, 205) He is seemingly at the top of the world: he is a colonel in the army and he is engaged to the one woman that almost every man in the book is obsessed with, Pamela Flitton. It was interesting to see what Widmerpool would do in Books Do Furnish a Room, as it would be the first book in which he is no longer in the army. His political fortunes, such as his new peerage, are discussed by numerous characters, as is his marriage to Pamela. Inevitably, Pamela leaves Widmerpool for the eccentric writer X Trapnel. In the scene where Widmerpool confronts the two elopers, he remains calm and collected, and states that he knows Pamela will come back to him. This confidence is confirmed when Pamela eventually leaves Trapnel and returns to Widmerpool. However, the fact that Pamela left Widmerpool in the first place is a sign that Widmerpool is beginning to lose control over various parts of his life. Pamela's adultery becomes a theme in Temporary Kings, the penultimate installment in the series. Pamela sleeps with upwards of three people while in Italy, a further sign that Widmerpool is losing control. It is also apparent that Widmerpool is using his powerful position in the government to provide information to the Soviet Union. This is an interesting moment for Dance readers because it shows Widmerpool using his work to help people other than himself. It is also remarkable to see his transformation from capitalist to communist. In the final book, we initially see `Lord' Widmerpool, as usual, in a place of power; this time, as the chancellor of a university. While he is giving a speech, however, J.G. Quiggin's twin daughters, both students at the university, throw paint all over him. Earlier, we would consider this an affront to Widmerpool's place of power. However, at the Donners Prize ceremony for Russell Gwinnett, Widmerpool gives an uninvited speech to the guests. "The parallel with the Old Boy dinner underlined the changes taken place in Widmerpool's oratory. In former days a basic self-assurance had been tempered with hesitancy of manner, partly due to thickness of utterance, partly to consciousness of being on uneasy terms with his contemporaries. All suggestion of unsureness, of irresolution, was gone." (HSH, 108) In his speech, Widmerpool commented on the "wrongness of the way we live." (HSH, 111) After Quiggin's daughters light the firecrackers which disrupt the gathering, Widmerpool says, "`That was a Happening, if you like. Amanda and Belinda don't do things by halves. I wouldn't have missed that for a cool million-I mean had money meant anything to me these days.'" (HSH, 114) Later in the book, he joins Scorpio Murtlock's cult, and is a one point forced to kiss the feet of every member of the cult because he accidentally disrupted their meditation. He dies doing exactly what he was doing when we first encountered Widmerpool: running. While many would consider this final installment of A Dance to the Music of Time to contain Widmerpool's ultimate downfall, I argue that it instead illustrates his ultimate moment of clarity. Throughout the entire series, we hate Widmerpool because of his lust for power and his disregard for anyone else. However, in Hearing Secret Harmonies, he renounces his peerage and his status, and admits that the world he helped create is a terrible world and he is ashamed to be living in it. He admittedly loses power when he joins Scorp's cult, but he finds a life that he truly believes in. This culminates with the scene in the film of Nick watching Widmerpool dancing his dance of freedom around the Fingers in his underwear. After a lifetime of searching, Widmerpool has finally found his happiness. |
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John Bukawyn Throughout A Dance to the Music of Time, by Anthony Powell, I have been drawn to Charles Stringham. It is not because we are similar, but rather because we are different. Like they say, opposites attract. Being cheerful, laid back, and a man of few words, I am simply opposite of Stringham. The bouts of depression that plagued him from the start, the smooth-talker he was when he wooed Audrey Maclintick into joining him at a night club, or even the humble waiter he became during the years of the war characterize him. Although we differ so greatly, it was certainly saddening when I learned of his capture in Singapore. Coming from a privileged family background, Stringham's potential was great; however over the course of the series he falls short of these expectations. His bouts of depression and drunkenness initiate his downfall and he spirals until the war where he gains some self-control over his life. We are first introduced to Stringham as one of Nick's close friends at Eton College. From here, in A Question of Upbringing, to when we see him in the army, in A Soldier's Art, his melancholy is noticeable. In the "Braddock Alias Thorne" incident Stringham's personality alters on a whim. After calling the police on Le Bas and returning to the College, he is excited to see if word has spread. However, his good temperament soon fades, saying, "I am afraid it was all in rather doubtful taste…One is such a creature of impulse," (49, AQU). This second-guessing causes "his cheeks [to lose] the flush they had taken on during the excitement" (50, QU). Acknowledging that his own behavior varies and with Nick's observation, we see the beginnings of Stringham's problem; however, it is yet to be seen how it affects him and his relationships. Upon Stringham's arrival at Oxford his depression forces him to keep to his room. Tossed from a horse in Kenya, Stringham must have had something happen to him there. Nick mentions that, "some inward metamorphosis was no doubt the cause of Stringham's melancholia" (173, QU). Year's later depressions still plagues him. At Stringham and Nick's chance meeting at the coffee stall in London, Stringham says he, "might be in tolerable form for the festivities-instead of the limp rag one feels most of the time" (95, BM). Clearly depressed. he can no longer fall on friends for support, but has now turned to alcohol to solve his problems. Both at Milly Andriadis's party and the Old Boy dinner Nick suggests that Stringham "had had a good deal to drink" (145, BM). Being consistently drunk Stringham ruins his cordial and business relationships, causing him to eventually be under the constant watch of Miss Weedon. Stringham always had a way with words; from the time he converses with Le Bas about poetry to when he defends himself somewhat for misplacing the salt at the dinner table he could always wiggle his way through situations. Catching the boys by surprise, Le Bas questions them about some obscure poetry (at least to me and Templer it is obscure), asking whether or not the boys know the poet of a poem. Choosing a similar poet, Stringham impresses Le Bas, but he takes it a step further. Now reciting Heraclitus, Stringham causes Le Bas's mood to improve further. Nick remarks, "The words had an instantaneous effect. Le Bas's face cleared at once, and he broke in with more reverberance even than before" (41, QU). Playing to Le Bas' weaknesses for poetry, Stringham is able to successfully escape the situation. Year's later at a party for Hugh Moreland, in Casanova's Chinese Restaurant, we see Stringham exhibit similar behavior. As Audrey Maclintick addresses herself to Nick, he notes that, "Cold rage still possessed her, " (166, CCR). Before Nick has a chance to reply, Stringham jumps in saying, "Hullo, Little Bo-Peep. What have you done with your shepherdess's crook...Don't look so cross and pout at me like that, or I shall ruffle up all those dainty little frills of yours" (166, CCR). After Stringham's comments, Mrs. Maclintick immediately cheers up. With Stringham continually poking fun at her, conversation between the two proceeds similarly for quite some time. Eventually Stringham convinces her to accompany him to night club. Although the two are interrupted by the entrance of Miss Weedon, Stringham's caretaker, and never actually make it to the club, Stringham has successfully wooed an untamable beast. As Tuffy escorts Stringham from the party that is the last we see him until he appears in F mess in A Soldier's Art. Even here, in the army, Stringham has yet to lose his boldness. While getting interrogated by Biggs for forgetting the salt, Stringham responds to Biggs' question regarding cruets and salt in the Ritz by saying, "Mustard, sir-French, English, possibly some other more obscure brands-so far as I remember, sir, rather than salt and pepper, but handing round the latter could be a good idea" (69, SA). Here he not being insubordinate, but some cheek is still present. Although this aspect of Stringham remains similar, his demeanor has changed entirely. Content with where he has ended up, Stringham has lost all ambition to better his life. When Nick offers him a better position, he declines the proposal, saying, "Between you and me, Nick, I think I have it in me to make a first-class Mess waiter" (77, SA). Although Stringham is satisfied as a waiter, Widmerpool has him transferred to the Mobile Laundry. With the Laundry being shipped to the Far East, Singapore in this case, Jenkins approaches Stringham offering him to "get out of being sent overseas" (220, SA). Although Stringham's age and medical problems could surely excuse him from the excursion, he seems set on traveling with the Laundry. Seeing as his life prior to the war was filled with depression and alcohol, his life has now been refined by Tuffy and the military gives him a purpose, which explains why he wishes to remain. With Stringham completely dependant on the military, his attachment shows how far he has fallen. Raised in a privileged family, he was given a head-start on the competition, however his depression and alcoholism requires him to destroy all that he had achieved and restart. From this, it is probably a good thing I am very different than Stringham. Although he seems helpless when we last see him, Cheesman's condolences offer a better image of Stringham. When talking about Singapore, Cheesman says Stringham, "behaved very well" (210, TK). Even though he has lost all his status, he is remembered with some respect and dignity. This new picture of him, however, makes me wonder whether or not it is actually good to be different than Charles Stringham. |
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William Koven A Dance to the Music of Time treats many different themes throughout the various novels. In particular, Powell gives attention to different forms of art including painting, music, and writing. One form of art that Powell seems to pay less explicit attention to, at least in the latter eight novels I am more familiar with, is theater. Rather than raising the subject of theater in one particular novel or set of novels, I think that Powell treats theater over the course of many books through one of my favorite characters, Matilda. In particular I think that Matilda's story throughout The Dance reads much like the outline of a play. Since I particularly enjoy theater and playwriting, I find Matilda's story fascinating. The Given Circumstances We find out that before Matilda first appears in A Dance to the Music of Time, she was once called Betty Updike, was briefly married to Carolo, and was one of Sir Magnus Donner's girls for a period of time. Then, Matilda's story opens with her and Norman Chandler performing in The Duchess of Malfi. Act I Scene I Enter Moreland At first, Matilda's story is intertwined with Moreland's. Matilda, an actress, is first introduced to Nick by Moreland when he brings Nick to see The Duchess of Malfi. Afterwards, Moreland takes Nick backstage where they meet Matilda and Norman. "Matilda Wilson jumped up from her stool as soon as she saw Moreland. Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him on the nose" (CCR 46). Like the beginning of any good play, we immediately know what the characters want. Moreland and Matilda are in love. Scene II Matilda is now married to Moreland and things seem to be going well. "In the earlier stages of marriage, Matilda was keeping pace pretty well with circumstances not always easy from shortage of money" (CCR 98). Then it happens: Matilda is pregnant. The first major obstacle is reached, and just as it should, the stakes of Matilda and Moreland's marriage are raised. But right at the end of the scene tragedy strikes; Matilda has a miscarriage. Such tragedy now gives us a chance to really get a feel for the characters, since character can be described as how a person reacts to a situation under pressure. Scene III Moreland has somehow finished his symphony and Mrs. Fox throws a party for him. It is at this party we discover that perhaps Moreland is not as strong a character as we might have hoped. He is having an affair with Pricilla Tolland. Matilda knows of the affair. She is torn up about it and is unsure what she should do. Once again, another obstacle is reached and we are given a chance to see more of Matilda's character. She sticks it out. She knows that Moreland will come back to her. Indeed, after the death of his friend McClintick, Moreland breaks off his love affair with Pricilla. Scene IV Matilda and Moreland are now living in the country. On the surface it appears that their marriage is still going strong. Moreland, however, seems quite depressed and it is Matilda this time who is having to deal with temptation. The couple is living right near Stourwater, the castle of Sir Magnus Donners. Matilda and Moreland, along with Nick and friends, spend an interesting dinner at Stourwater which includes photographs of the party acting out the seven deadly sins. And then, at the end of the scene, the play reaches a form of climax: Matilda has had enough and leaves Moreland for Donners. Exit Moreland Act II Scene I A party. Matilda is doing well. She is seen now with Donners. Matilda seems quite happy in her new life, "To be rather older suited her; that or being married to a member of the Cabinet" (MP 207). And yet, despite her seeming happiness, Matilda can't quite forget Moreland. "Obviously Matilda still took quite a keen interest in Moreland and his condition" (MP 208). The scene closes, once again, with the impression of Matilda being happy with her new position in life. Scene II Much older now, Matilda has been widowed. For a short time after Donners death Matilda stays in the world of politics and high life, but then begins to let that slip maintaining only a close circle of friends. In her widowhood she has a brief affair with Odo Stevens. But now Matilda runs into yet another obstacle, what should she do with herself in late life. In answer, Matilda sets up the Donner's literature award for biography. Yet years and years later, after he is dead even, Matilda just can't quite forget Moreland. "She had never been unwilling to speak of Moreland, often talking of their doings together," (HSH 59). A long satisfying life lived out, Matilda finally comes to a dramatic end fitting with her early career as an actress. Matilda simply tells a friend, Delavacquerie, that she won't be returning to London at the end of the summer. End Matilda's story in A Dance to the Music of Time makes a perfect outline for a very interesting play. I am quite tempted, given the opportunity, to actually try and write a play based on Matilda and Powell's other characters. Although Powell does not treat theater in the same way he treats painting, music, and writing, through both Matilda's doings and her personality he does give sense of the theater and theatrics. |
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Michael Donelan Widmerpool, in addition to our beloved narrator Nick, is the only character to appear in all twelve books of Powell's novel A Dance to the Music of Time. With his reoccurring presence he is one of the few characters who the reader can come to fully comprehend. Widmerpool's rise from schoolboy laughingstock as seen in A Question of Upbringing to military power during World War II in the war novels to his demise and eventual death at the hands of Scorpio Murtlock in Hearing Secret Harmonies we can follow the ebbs and flows of the Dance through Widmerpool. He provides a cyclical end and regularity to the novel. We are first introduced to Widmerpool as he is running through the woods trying to futilely get himself in shape. "By this stage of the year - exercise no longer contestable five days a week - the road was empty; except for Widmerpool…hobbling unevenly, though with determination, on the flat heels of spiked running shoes." (QU 3) He is fat and has little hope of having any success making the football team as "He had no colours." (AQU 4) He gets made fun of for his clothing and his mannerisms. The infamous scene where a banana is thrown at him by one of the popular boys and hits in the face and Nick recalls a slavish look came over his face. He does not bother to get angry at anything of this sort for this is perhaps the most aggressive hazing of Widmerpool that takes place. Nick says several times how "His status was not high," and "although far from being a dunce, there was nothing notable about his work." (QU 4) While he progresses through the first few novels without much development, we do get a taste of the Widmerpool of the future. One of the students, Ackworth, writes a note to Peter Templer which professes his love for Templer. Widmerpool knows this homosexuality will not pass at the all boys Eton school and quickly rats the boy out, which results in the confused boy's expulsion from school. This is the divisive Widmerpool who will make his rise in the political and military circles throughout the next novels. Kenneth makes his first splash with Sir Magnus Donners. One night, after dinner at Sir Magnus's house, the guests are taking part in a rendition of the Seven Deadly Sins. At the conclusion of the activities Widmerpool shows up to let Donners know "arrangements about Swiss company are all but complete." (KO 136) He then goes on to talk a lot about the metal business, noting "`Steel has made a modest recovery…then Copper has been receiving a fair amount of support…" (KO 136) During these business years, Widmerpool was also smart enough to get involved with the Territorials as he shows up at Stourwater in uniform. His planning was done so that when the war started he would be able to get ahead. He has turned into an astute man, always looking towards the future. This will become the typical Widmerpool during the war years. Nick starts out in the military as a second lieutenant, but since Widmerpool was already involved with the Territorials, he has made his way up the ladder much quicker. When it comes time for Nick to get a desk job, he finds himself working under Widmerpool who is the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General. This is where we begin to see Widmerpool's ruthless attempt to rise as high as possible in rank. In The Soldier's Art Widmerpool is going to leave the division. After saying he will do what he can to help Jenkins out with a promotion of whatever magnitude, Widmerpool does absolutely nothing of the sort. Also in this book Stringham has joined the company as a mess waiter. Widmerpool is bothered by his presence so he finds it appropriate and convenient to transfer him to the Mobile Laundry Unit which is headed to the Far East so he will be of no trouble anymore. By this time Kenneth has gotten in trouble for trying to unfairly place officers at certain posts which gets him in a spell of trouble with General Lidament. Widmerpool reaches his apex as he is appointed Colonel in The Military Philosophers. From this point on his life will cease to get better. In theory, his marriage with Pamela should bring joy to his life, but we all know her deceitful ways and how she has a certain knack for bringing out the downfall of men. Widmerpool's collapse was inevitable as soon as his marriage to Pam was complete. During the post-war years, she reveals at a party that Widmerpool was almost solely responsible for Peter Templer's death in Africa. Not just this, but she ends up running off with X Trapnel, the famous author, and ruins his life as well throwing away his manuscript. Widmerpool's final demise is seen most clearly in Hearing Secret Harmonies. He has immigrated to the United States where "he had been offered an appointment at some kind of Institute of Advanced Study of an Ivy League university" (HSH 42) Nick is watching the television one night when he sees that there was an attack when Widmerpool was giving a speech. The Quiggins' twin daughters threw paint all over Widmerpool. This event is almost identical to the banana incident with the same reaction as well. This is proof that Widmerpool has receded to his less confident days as a schoolboy at Eton. An extension of this event is when Widmerpool and the twins show up at the award ceremony for Russell Gwinnett for his book on X. Here Kenneth gives a radical speech where he raves about how he should never have accepted the spot as university chancellor and he "was taking part in a piece of pompous and meaningless ceremonial…" (HSH 111) The Widmerpool of the war years would never have said such a thing. That was exactly who he had become; a man who reveled in the limelight and loved to hear his own name showered in praise. This Kenneth at the ceremony is more like the boy we saw at Eton. Soon after this fiasco, Widmerpool joins forces with the mysterious Scorpio Murtlock. The final chapters are filled with irony. Widmerpool is relegated to cleaning the floors for Scorp and when he interrupts one of their prayer sessions. The resulting punishment is that he must kiss the feet of each member he disturbed. The first man's feet he kisses are Ackworth's, who back at Eton he got kicked out for writing the gay love note. The second example of irony is that Widmerpool's death comes as a result of a run Scorp's cult is going on. He has spent much of his earlier life trying to become sufficiently fit, but never achieved it. His last attempt to fitness was no more successful. While this may be an unwelcome ending to Widmerpool's life for many Powell fans it is certainly an appropriate one. His death leads us right back to the beginning of the Dance, a dance we will all take before we meet our end. |