My Cousin Rachel

by

Daphne du Maurier

Tamlyn Character Analysis

Head gardener at the Ashley estate. Tamlyn works closely with Rachel on her plans for developing the gardens. He is also the person who draws Philip’s attention to the presence of laburnum trees on the estate’s grounds, as well as to the poisonous qualities of their seedpods—which, the story implies, Rachel may be using to poison Philip and may have used to poison Ambrose, since the same laburnum trees decorated her villa in Italy.
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Tamlyn Character Timeline in My Cousin Rachel

The timeline below shows where the character Tamlyn appears in My Cousin Rachel. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9
Women, Sexuality, and Society Theme Icon
Home and Belonging Theme Icon
...accounts, but when the servants arrive to receive their wages, he notices that the gardener, Tamlyn, is not there. He learns that Tamlyn is working in the garden with Rachel, and... (full context)
Women, Sexuality, and Society Theme Icon
...we had collected, Ambrose and I, during the past two years,” and that she and Tamlyn have been discussing where to plant them. Rachel bids Tamlyn goodbye, and recommends eucalyptus oil... (full context)
Chapter 10
Identity and Destiny Theme Icon
...she should stay at the Ashley home to take care of Ambrose’s things and help Tamlyn with the new plants. Rachel says nothing, but looks at Philip “with such a strange... (full context)
Chapter 14
Women, Sexuality, and Society Theme Icon
Home and Belonging Theme Icon
...his own house, if he loves it well.” This makes Rachel laugh so hard that “Tamlyn and the gardeners, working at the far end of the plantation, [raise] their heads to... (full context)
Chapter 24
Women, Sexuality, and Society Theme Icon
...now boasts a terrace walk, and a sunken garden that is waiting to be paved. Tamlyn also shows Philip through the grounds, where Philip admires the blossoming laburnum trees. Tamlyn mentions... (full context)
Jealousy, Possessiveness, and Unknowability Theme Icon
When Philip remarks that there were laburnum trees in the Villa Sangalletti, Tamlyn replies that he and the servants have heard Rachel will soon be returning there. “She... (full context)