The Children of Men

by

P. D. James

Gascoigne Character Analysis

One of the members of The Five Fishes, recruited because of his expertise as a long-distance driver. Rolf tasks him with distributing The Five Fishes’ pamphlets all across England. Gascoigne is captured by the State Security Police while placing explosives to interrupt a Quietus, prompting Miriam to recruit Theo to drive the remaining Fishes’ getaway car—they are afraid that Gascoigne will soon “break” and give the police the Fishes’ names.
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Gascoigne Character Timeline in The Children of Men

The timeline below shows where the character Gascoigne appears in The Children of Men. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8
Fatalism and Despair vs. Action and Hope Theme Icon
Globalism vs. Isolationism  Theme Icon
Power and Ambition Theme Icon
...the group uses first names only. He introduces himself, as well as Miriam, Luke, and Gascoigne. He explains that Miriam is an ex-midwife and Luke is a priest, but that Theo... (full context)
Fatalism and Despair vs. Action and Hope Theme Icon
Globalism vs. Isolationism  Theme Icon
Power and Ambition Theme Icon
...they were already conspirators.” She is black and, Theo guesses, the oldest of the group. Gascoigne introduces himself next—he is young and stout, with “a child’s face.” Luke smiles at Theo—he... (full context)
Fatalism and Despair vs. Action and Hope Theme Icon
Apocalypse: Revelation, Renewal, and Redemption Theme Icon
Globalism vs. Isolationism  Theme Icon
Power and Ambition Theme Icon
...Xan is a tyrant who has neglected to call an election for fifteen years, and Gascoigne, indignant, adds as further proof of Xan’s tyranny the fact that Xan has co-opted the... (full context)
Chapter 21
Fatalism and Despair vs. Action and Hope Theme Icon
Power and Ambition Theme Icon
...Miriam. He allows her in, and she immediately tells him that the police have captured Gascoigne, and the Fishes are going on the run. Julian needs Theo, Miriam says, and tells... (full context)
Fatalism and Despair vs. Action and Hope Theme Icon
Power and Ambition Theme Icon
...and Miriam get into Theo’s car and drive away. Theo asks Miriam how and when Gascoigne was captured. He was taken, she says, while placing explosives at the site of a... (full context)
Fatalism and Despair vs. Action and Hope Theme Icon
Apocalypse: Revelation, Renewal, and Redemption Theme Icon
Globalism vs. Isolationism  Theme Icon
...Julian can carry her baby to term. Theo tells the group that their plan is “futile”—Gascoigne will soon talk, and everything will be ruined. Luke tells Theo that the rest of... (full context)