Character Analysis in "Keeping it from Harold"
Main Characters and Their Relationships
Bill and Jane Bramble
The central relationship in the story revolves around Bill and Jane Bramble, Harold's parents. Their dynamic is built on mutual love and a shared desire to protect their son, albeit through questionable means.
"It was Jane who had started the deception. In her defensive, motherly way, she had not wanted her little boy to know."Note
Their relationship demonstrates how even well-intentioned deception can create complex moral dilemmas within a family.
Harold Bramble
Harold, though physically absent for much of the story, drives the entire narrative through his parents' perception of him. He's portrayed as:
- An intellectually gifted child
- Sensitive and refined
- Completely unaware of his father's boxing career
"Harold, as his mother never ceased to point out to him, was a delicate, sensitive child, not like other boys."Common Mistake
Many readers misinterpret Harold as a weak character, when in fact his "sensitivity" is largely a projection of his mother's fears and desires.
Percy and Other Secondary Characters
Percy serves as a foil to Bill Bramble, representing the boxing world that the Brambles are trying to hide from Harold. His presence creates tension by threatening to expose the family secret.
Character Dynamics
The Protection Triangle
The story's central conflict emerges from a three-way relationship:
