Character development (part 2/2)
Henry- The main male character, with the ability of time travel. Henry, much like other main characters in a story is connected to every character reader’s encounter, and they in turn affect his life. However not all characters have a positive effect as shown in my character tree.
Character Explanation:
Ingrid: Ingrid is the woman Henry had been seeing before we were introduced to him and more importantly before Clare and Henry first meet in the present. Ingrid was the anchor to Henry’s previous life that kept getting stuck in the sand and dragging Henry back to her. This carries on for about 1/3 way through the book up until Henry and Clare agree to be wed. At this point Ingrid is out of the picture until a dreadful night where Henry time travels to the last time anyone will see Ingrid alive.
Henry is paralyzed and travels into Ingrid’s living room. It is nighttime and another one of Ingrid’s attempts at suicide. She knows of Henry’s time travelling and isn’t surprised that he is there but amused he is paralyzed. She is being very light about the future, asking what she is playing a guessing game. One option was she was dead; Henry would not answer this question. After some stalling and dancing around the fact she is dead in the future, Ingrid makes up her mind.
“It’s not a very big gun… “I could shoot you” “Yes. You could.” I say “Then I could shoot myself,” Ingrid says. “That could also happen.” “But does it?” “I don’t know, Ingrid. You get to decide.” Bullshit, Henry. Tell me,” Ingrid commands. “All right. No it doesn’t happen that way.” I try to sound confident. “But what if I want it to happen that way?”
…
“Did you love me?” Ingrid asks, looking down at me. “Yes” I tell her. “Liar,” Ingrid says, and she pulls the trigger. (478)
Clare: Throughout the entire book Clare is there for Henry through thick and thin. They have their rough patches like any couple does but they always work through them, and come out loving each other more than before! While Ingrid was the anchor holding Henry back, Clare is the wind beneath his sail and the helping hands to raise the anchor.
Gomez: Gomez is a close friend of Clare’s who becomes other than Clare, Henry’s best friend. Gomez is a unique individual very in tune with the political and country media and what is the next big change, Henry is very accommodating to this personality and adapts well to fit in. Initially Henry and Gomez do not get along well, Gomez is very curious and questioning of Henry’s intentions. Throughout the book Gomez is always there for Henry when needed and is the second person in Henry’s new life to learn about his secret. This shows the trust and relationship the two shares.
Dr. Kendrick: The man who changes the whole story line and the future of the characters lives. Dr. Kendrick is a doctor who specializes in genetics research and development, and from Clare’s understanding is the doctor Henry goes to in the future. Henry is skeptical as is the doctor, Henry for his safety and insanity of the situation and Dr. Kendrick who doesn’t believe anything Henry says. This leaves the two men at a crossroads and Henry knows one way to enlighten Dr. Kendrick of the possibilities of time-travel. Tell him something that will happen in the future.
“We’re having a daughter.” “No, you’re not actually,” I say gently. … Goodbye, Mr. DeTamble,” Dr. Kendrick says coldly. I leave as I get into the elevator I think to myself that he must be opening the letter right now. Inside is a sheet of typing paper. It says:
Colin Joseph Kendrick April 6, 1996 1:18 a.m. 6lbs. 8oz Caucasian male Down syndrome (301)
Dr. Kendrick studies Henry’s anatomy and genetics to try and find cures, ways to control it and or ultimately prevent it. Also he learns about if it will pass to offspring, and how to help their future child, Alba.
Abshire Family: Clare’s family, not much influence on Henry. However he is the man dating their daughter and marries her, largest impact someone can have on another families life.
Richard DeTamble: Henry’s Father. Richard pretty much gave up Henry as his son after his wife’s death and not only did he give up his son he gave up himself. Richard, much like Henry resorted to alcohol to solve his problems and dug himself a hole : that he couldn’t climb out of himself. Henry and Clare together brought him back to life, even brought music back to him that was deemed lost years ago. One of the things to change his life around or rather biggest person was Alba. She was his wife, beautiful, musically gifted, caring, and even more a part of Henry that shone through. Even though he is Henry’s father it took Clare’s influence and appearance in Henry’s life to go back to him, to have hope one more time.
Alba: Clare and Henry’s daughter and aside from Clare and Henry one of the most important characters is the entire novel. She is the character to never exist, 6 miscarriages before Alba was born. A miracle.
Charisse: Gomez’s wife and basically just another character that keeps the female lead role company. She has her moments but remains in the background for the majority of the novel.
Mark Abshire: Also not a large role in the story, we see him as a child and as an adult. He does have one important role in the story and is the ending of another life; Henry’s. Henry is killed by a gun shot when time travelling to the forest in Clare’s past and dies in the hallway of his house on the present day new year’s eve.
