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Sybylla
Harold is Sybylla’s love interest and, for much of the story, her fiancé. He is usually quiet and stoic, but people who know him well speak of his bad temper. Sybylla is intrigued by the idea that the stony Harold could experience passion, and she strives to provoke Harold to see his temper flare. Despite Sybylla’s dislike of men, she admires Harold’s manliness, and she is often ashamed when her own behavior toward him is unwomanly. As the owner of the Five-Bob Downs estate, he possesses great wealth, which would entice any woman in the country to marry him––in fact, many of Sybylla’s friends and relatives assume she is marrying Harold for his fortune. She insists this is not the case, and she proves as much when she agrees to continue the engagement after Harold loses his fortune. She is actually more determined than ever to marry him after this tragic turn of events, since she believes that as his wife she can help Harold recover from the loss. Once he makes a new fortune for himself, Sybylla thinks herself free of this obligation and ends the engagement. She is convinced that both she and Harold would be happier without being married to each other, and this belief awakens her “latent womanliness” that enables her to finally turn Harold away for good. Harold’s manliness has helped Sybylla define her womanliness, but it is that womanliness that gives Sybylla the strength to reject him.
Harold Beecham Quotes in My Brilliant Career
The My Brilliant Career quotes below are all either spoken by Harold Beecham or refer to Harold Beecham. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 17
Quotes
Men are clumsy, stupid creatures regarding little things, but in their right place they are wonderful animals. If a buggy was smashed to smithereens, from one of their many mysterious pockets they would produce a knife and some string, and put the wreck into working order in no time.
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Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24
Quotes
I had been poor myself, and knew what awaited him in the world. He would find that they who fawned on him most would be first to turn their backs on him now. He would be rudely disillusioned regarding the fables of love and friendship, and would become cynical, bitter, and sceptical of there being any disinterested good in human nature. Suffering the cold heart-weariness of this state myself, I felt anxious at any price to save Harold Beecham from a like fate. It would be a pity to let one so young be embittered in that way.
Chapter 25
Quotes
[…] the word wife finished me up. I was very fond of Harold—fond to such an extent that had I a fortune I would gladly have given it all to him: I felt capable of giving him a life of servitude, but I loved him—big, manly, lovable, wholesome Harold—from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he was good in my sight, but lacking in that power over me which would make me desirous of being the mother of his children.
Chapter 36
Quotes
He offered me everything—but control. He was a man who meant all he said. His were no idle promises on the spur of the moment. But no, no, no, no, he was not for me. My love must know, must have suffered, must understand
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Harold Beecham Quotes in My Brilliant Career
The My Brilliant Career quotes below are all either spoken by Harold Beecham or refer to Harold Beecham. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 17
Quotes
Men are clumsy, stupid creatures regarding little things, but in their right place they are wonderful animals. If a buggy was smashed to smithereens, from one of their many mysterious pockets they would produce a knife and some string, and put the wreck into working order in no time.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24
Quotes
I had been poor myself, and knew what awaited him in the world. He would find that they who fawned on him most would be first to turn their backs on him now. He would be rudely disillusioned regarding the fables of love and friendship, and would become cynical, bitter, and sceptical of there being any disinterested good in human nature. Suffering the cold heart-weariness of this state myself, I felt anxious at any price to save Harold Beecham from a like fate. It would be a pity to let one so young be embittered in that way.
Chapter 25
Quotes
[…] the word wife finished me up. I was very fond of Harold—fond to such an extent that had I a fortune I would gladly have given it all to him: I felt capable of giving him a life of servitude, but I loved him—big, manly, lovable, wholesome Harold—from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he was good in my sight, but lacking in that power over me which would make me desirous of being the mother of his children.
Chapter 36
Quotes
He offered me everything—but control. He was a man who meant all he said. His were no idle promises on the spur of the moment. But no, no, no, no, he was not for me. My love must know, must have suffered, must understand
