Duncan Forbes Character Analysis in Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Duncan Forbes is a well-known painter and a longstanding friend of Sir Malcolm Reid. Constance likes Duncan for his easy-going manners, even if she (and Mellors) think his art, with its abstract “tubes and valves and spirals,” is ugly and a little insidious. Duncan has had a crush on Connie for decades, so when she needs someone to pretend to be the father of her illegitimate baby, Duncan agrees—on the condition that Connie will model for one of his paintings.

Duncan Forbes Character Timeline in Lady Chatterley’s Lover

The timeline below shows where the character Duncan Forbes appears in Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...in his cottage. Connie writes to Mrs. Bolton to get more information. Around this time, Duncan Forbes, an artist and longtime friend of the Reid family, arrives in Venice. (full context)

Intellect vs. Bodily Experience Theme Icon

Connie confides in Duncan Forbes, who comforts her by telling her that people merely hate those who have good... (full context)

Catastrophe, Continuity, and Tradition Theme Icon

To distract from her anxiety, Connie spends her days with Duncan Forbes, whose longtime crush on her has been reignited. Duncan thinks that everyone feels as... (full context)

...is a gold-digger. Still, Malcolm helps his daughter with her next steps: she will get Duncan to claim paternity over the child, so as not to add scandal to Mellors’s divorce.... (full context)

...is much less welcoming. To Connie’s surprise, Hilda rushes to broach the idea of having Duncan Forbes claim paternity over the child. Mellors is hesitant at first, but Connie and Hilda... (full context)

When the quartet has dinner, Mellors is struck by Duncan’s personality (like a “taciturn Hamlet”) and his art, which is all “tubes and valves and... (full context)

Now, Connie must write to Clifford to tell him that she is in love with Duncan and that she hopes Clifford will divorce her. Though Clifford has long intuited that something... (full context)

...word. Despite Connie’s acknowledgement and apology, Clifford still refuses to believe that she really loves Duncan Forbes. So Connie confesses the truth: she loves Mellors. (full context)