Once again, we find the five primary character archetypes at work in a movie.
Protagonist: Williams. Even though the narrative is framed through the POV of Peter, Williams’ storyline drives the plot. His character is…
Once again, we find the five primary character archetypes at work in a movie.
Protagonist: Williams. Even though the narrative is framed through the POV of Peter, Williams’ storyline drives the plot. His character is the one who evolves from Disunity to Unity. His character is the one who goes through a substantial psychological journey. All the characters are somehow connected to Williams and serve his transformation.
I *do* think that Peter functions as a kind of surrogate version of Williams as a youth. It’s as if Peter, who ends up with Margaret, provides an alternate path than the soulless one Williams chose. In a way, when Williams dies, it’s akin to him symbolically handing off Margaret to Peter, although none of this is communicated directly between them.
Nemesis: Bureaucracy. As a child, Williams determined that his goal in life was to become a “rank and file gentleman.” Achieving that goal, as he has at work, has squashed the life-blood out of his system. The labyrinthine bureacracy of his workplace only serves to buttress his goal. Which is where we meet him at the beginning of the story.
Attractor: Margaret. He is infatuated by her, but not in a sexual or romantic way. Rather, how emotionally free she is. He yearns for that … and eventually, he gets there.
Mentor: Sutherland. On his own dime, he takes Williams for a “night on the town.” This helps to deconstruct Williams’ defense mechanisms.
Trickster: All of Williams’ workmates, most notably Middleton, Hart, and Rushbridger. Ostensibly allies (co-workers), they reinforce Williams’ instinct to continue his role as “gentleman” and leader of the group.
A great moment of their Trickster function is when all three pledge to “never again shy away from their responsibilities.” Of course, when we next see them at work, that’s precisely what they’re doing.
These characters all play a role in Williams’ transformation. And that ties into the story’s key themes which we will explore next.