Frank Hawden Character Analysis in My Brilliant Career

Frank Hawden works at Caddagat as a jackaroo (a laborer working to gain management experience). Though he initially dismisses Sybylla as ugly, he soon becomes infatuated with her. She attributes his feelings to the lack of other young women at Caddagat, and though he insists he loves her and wants to marry her, Sybylla continues to spurn him. His constant advances frustrate her, and her rejections grow ruder and more audacious until Hawden vengefully reports to Mrs. Bossier that Sybylla has made unwomanly advances on him. His treatment of her cements Sybylla’s distaste for marriage and her dislike of men. However, when Sybylla has to leave the Bossiers, her love for Caddagat overcomes their tumultuous relationship, and Sybylla and Hawden separate as friends.

Frank Hawden Character Timeline in My Brilliant Career

The timeline below shows where the character Frank Hawden appears in My Brilliant Career. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Ambition, Respectability, and Pride Theme Icon

...recovering from colds and cannot come to greet Sybylla. The letter tells Sybylla that Frank Hawden, a jackeroo, will take care of her at the hotel. While at the hotel, Sybylla... (full context)

Frank Hawden chats with Sybylla during the drive. She thinks he is conceited, but she doesn’t care... (full context)

...rings the dinner bell, and Sybylla goes to dinner with her grandmother, Aunt Helen, Mr. Hawden, and two travelers whom Mrs. Bossier has invited to spend the night at Caddagat. After... (full context)

...before Uncle Julius and Everard Grey arrive, Mrs. Bossier sends Sybylla on an errand. Frank Hawden decides to accompany her, which annoys Sybylla because her grandmother has warned her against encouraging... (full context)

Hawden and Sybylla return late in the afternoon, so Sybylla is only half-dressed when Uncle Julius... (full context)

...in love with every man she sees. She cries aloud, “I hate and detest men!” Hawden overhears her, and he tells her it is his right to pursue Sybylla romantically. Sybylla... (full context)

Sybylla leaves Hawden. She goes to play piano, but she is interrupted by Everard, who asks her to... (full context)

Two days later, Everard and Uncle Julius leave Caddagat for Sydney. Hawden tells Sybylla that he is glad the “dandified ape” is gone, since now Sybylla will... (full context)

Later, Mr. Hawden tells Mrs. Bossier that Sybylla has been flirting with him. Mrs. Bossier scolds Sybylla for... (full context)

Sybylla finds Mr. Hawden and demands he stop plaguing her with declarations of love. She tells him that often... (full context)

...joins them. She has no skill at fishing, however, so she acts civilly to Frank Hawden so that he will catch a fish for her while she reads a book. She... (full context)

...the servant’s alleged mistake. When she finds her grandmother, Mrs. Bossier scolds her for leaving Hawden behind. Sybylla justifies this only with a reminder of how much she hates Mr. Hawden,... (full context)

...earlier, Sybylla would have felt guilty, but she is emboldened by Mrs. Bossier’s scolding and Hawden’s dislike of her, which makes her bitterness that she isn’t loveable. She tells Helen sourly... (full context)

Frank Hawden drives Sybylla away from Caddagat, and the two of them part on good terms. When... (full context)