Celia Character Analysis in Brideshead Revisited

Celia is Boy Mulcaster’s sister and Charles Ryder’s wife whom he eventually divorces. The pair have two children together: Caroline and “Johnjohn.” Celia is described as a “neat” and “jaunty” woman who is often mistaken for an American. Charles is rather disparaging about American culture and seems to view it as overly sanitary and neurotic, qualities he dislikes in his wife. Celia is a fashionable socialite, and it is her sociability and popularity that have made Charles’s artistic career. She almost acts as his agent, helping with his publicity and the organization of his exhibitions. Charles dislikes these fashionable circles to which she introduces him, and finds them shallow and pretentious. Charles finds Celia sly and passive-aggressive. She is not open about her emotions, and instead approaches things in a discreet and indirect way. Charles knows that she has been unfaithful to him and is pleased, because this gives him a reason to despise her. However, Celia makes several attempts to apologize to Charles after he has left her to paint in South America for a year, and is hurt when Charles rejects her affection. He does not have much respect for Celia and has an affair with Julia quite blatantly in front of her. Celia is a devoted mother, and although she quickly moves on after her divorce from Charles and remarries a younger man, Robin, she is disappointed that Charles does not make more of an effort to see his children.

Celia Character Timeline in Brideshead Revisited

The timeline below shows where the character Celia appears in Brideshead Revisited. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the jungle, then returns to New York with his new collection of work. His wife, Celia, meets him at the dock. They have dinner in a hotel together and Celia tells... (full context)

That night, they lie awake together and Celia says that Charles has not changed. She is pleased about this because, she says, that... (full context)

Celia has been a large influence on Charles’s career. Although she won’t admit this openly, she... (full context)

Celia says that she has a lot of work lined up for Charles when he gets... (full context)

Charles and Celia fall asleep in the early hours and are woken early by the hotel’s alarm call.... (full context)

Celia and Charles board the boat back to England. Celia is very popular in America. Charles... (full context)

...of separate worlds in which people may live very near each other but never interact. Celia begins to call people on the passenger list to make social plans. Charles goes to... (full context)

When Charles returns to his cabin, he finds Celia preparing for a party. They have been given very large rooms because the “quartering master”... (full context)

The chief purser, who has sent Celia the swan, arrives, and the party gets underway. The purser says that there will be... (full context)

...remarks that Julia never turned up. Charles says that he spoke to Mr. Kramm, and Celia says that she never invited him and does not know who he is. (full context)

Celia and Charles have been invited to dine at the captain’s table and make their way... (full context)

...reminds her of “King Lear.” People start to leave the table, and soon only Julia, Celia, and Charles are left. (full context)

...It is deserted, however, and the stewards have tied down most of the furniture. Soon, Celia complains that she is tired, and that the movement of the ship gives her a... (full context)

Suffering, Persecution, and Martyrdom Theme Icon

When Charles gets back to his cabin, he finds that Celia is seasick. She complains bitterly about it, and Charles thinks she is like a woman... (full context)

...ship is still rocked fiercely by the swell. While Charles has breakfast, more gifts for Celia arrive. One of them is a large bunch of roses, and Charles removes the label... (full context)

...Julia orders champagne to drink, and Charles tells her that the roses were sent to Celia. Julia says that this is alright then. As they sit and talk together, Charles feels... (full context)

Julia asks Charles why he married Celia, and Charles says that he was lonely and ambitious, and that he missed Sebastian. Julia... (full context)

The next morning, Celia feels better, and Charles tells her that he has spent the storm with Julia. Celia... (full context)

As the ship arrives, Celia tells Charles that Mr. Kramm has been arrested. Charles tells Celia that he will not... (full context)

Celia has organized Charles’s exhibition on a Friday. She hopes that the critics will pay attention... (full context)

Charles meets Celia at the exhibition, and she tells him that she has met an acquaintance of his,... (full context)

People begin to arrive at the exhibition, and Celia talks to several journalists about Charles and his approach to art. Charles hangs back and... (full context)

Celia bids Charles farewell at the exhibit’s end, and Charles can tell that she knows about... (full context)

...has been a blustery summer day. They discuss the history of their relationship. Charles and Celia still pretend publicly that they are married, for the sake of the children, but live... (full context)

Charles and Celia get a divorce, and Celia plans to marry a younger man named Robin. Boy Mulcaster... (full context)

Charles’s divorce goes through swiftly and, publicly, everyone takes Celia’s side. Julia’s divorce is a lengthy process, and Rex moves out of Brideshead. He gives... (full context)