Kitsey Barbour Character Analysis in The Goldfinch

Kitsey is the third-youngest of the Barbour children, and she is very young when Theo comes to stay with her family. Beautiful, bubbly, and charming, she is a college student at Wellesley when Andy and Mr. Barbour die. During the weekend that they die, Kitsey was supposed to be with them, but didn’t come because she wanted to spend time with her boyfriend, Tom. Kitsey is a strong sailor, and Platt believes that if she had been there, Andy and Mr. Barbour might not have died. Following their deaths, she goes on a leave of absence from school and moves back to New York City, where she lives with a couple of roommates and works at a nonprofit arts organization. She and Theo start dating and quickly get engaged, although she keeps seeing Tom in secret. When Theo discovers this, Kitsey argues that their relationship is a way of putting on a good front and providing happiness and security to themselves and everyone around them, even if they’re not head over heels in love. However, at the end of the novel, it is implied that Kitsey and Theo never get married.

Kitsey Barbour Character Timeline in The Goldfinch

The timeline below shows where the character Kitsey Barbour appears in The Goldfinch. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...by the city. Meanwhile, the Barbours’ lives continue as normal. Andy’s little siblings, Toddy and Kitsey, run around with their friends, while Mrs. Barbour hosts friends for coffee or fancy dinner... (full context)

...much time at home and thus they don’t notice, but Theo knows he is annoying Kitsey and Toddy. (full context)

...to a restaurant and grab a hamburger for dinner to avoid the family drama, and Kitsey begs to come along, too. (full context)

...but it’s clear that it’s bad. Andy comments that Platt is Mrs. Barbour’s favorite, whereas Kitsey is Mr. Barbour’s favorite. Andy admits that if he didn’t look so much like his... (full context)

...comfort. He decides to call Hobie, and when Hobie doesn’t answer, he calls the Barbours. Kitsey answers and says that the family are late for dinner; Theo asks to speak to... (full context)

...how Mr. Barbour was obsessed with the water, then mentions that Mr. Barbour’s own sister—whom Kitsey is named after—also died by drowning. Platt reflects that Mr. Barbour felt “immortal” on the... (full context)

...recalls was a “pothead” and “thief” as a teenager. Platt grimly implies that Tom and Kitsey have been dating. Walking away from the Barbours’, Theo feels stunned. Theo recently had a... (full context)

Kitsey comes in and hugs Theo. In the years since he’s seen her, she’s become very... (full context)

...struck by how much it feels as if he has returned home. He notices that Kitsey watches him throughout most of the meal. After, Platt—who seems quite drunk—tells Theo that Kitsey... (full context)

Now Kitsey is taking a leave of absence from Wellesley, and isn’t sure if she’ll go back... (full context)

Theo calls the Barbours’ and speaks to Kitsey, who asks him to come back for dinner. He then speaks to Platt, who asks... (full context)

It is just before Christmas; Theo and Kitsey are having a long lunch after a morning of setting up their wedding registry, and... (full context)

Now, at lunch, Kitsey assures Theo that she will wear Audrey’s earrings to their wedding, and affectionately tells him... (full context)

Kitsey was the one to propose, doing so on Park Avenue just before they went into... (full context)

...her about the engagement over the phone. He’d boasted that he’d been in love with Kitsey since they were both children, which is something he now believes is actually true. Every... (full context)

After leaving Kitsey outside Barney’s, Theo goes to the bar where Larry used to drink and considers taking... (full context)

...Boris in person after hearing so many stories about him. He says that last night Kitsey called, and Theo remembers with horror that they are supposed to go to dinner at... (full context)

Previously, Theo tried to call Kitsey to cancel dinner with the Longstreets, but he hadn’t been able to get through. Kitsey... (full context)

...person. They look briefly at the exhibition catalog, before Platt barges in and announces that Kitsey is running late. He says that she’s been playing golf, which Theo observes is strange... (full context)

Over the next week, Theo endures a “grueling” social calendar with Kitsey, where they hardly get to spend a moment alone together. He fixates on one upcoming... (full context)

...another appointment, and thus drives off without dropping Theo home. Theo decides to go to Kitsey’s apartment, which is nearby. Although she is out at “Girl’s night,” Theo has a key... (full context)

Theo calls and then texts Kitsey to see if she wants to meet him, then goes to head downtown. However, just... (full context)

...the next day in a daze. Memories are spinning through his mind, obvious signs that Kitsey was having an affair and evidence that Mrs. Barbour knows about it, too. He is... (full context)

...says he would wait until an unexpected moment, then ask her outright. Boris asks if Kitsey is beautiful and intelligent, and Theo confirms that she is. (full context)

...love too much. Those are the ones who will kill you.” When Theo gets to Kitsey’s apartment later, she chats away somewhat manically. She suggests they go to an Indian restaurant... (full context)

Kitsey says that Tom got bad news himself the night before, and turned up unexpectedly just... (full context)

Kitsey accuses Theo of enjoying his accusations because he is smirking. He mocks her, and eventually... (full context)

To Theo’s surprise, he begins to feel less angry. Kitsey kisses him on the cheek and says, “Let’s both be good, and truthful, and kind... (full context)

...cigarette. He is consumed by panic about the condition of The Goldfinch. He notices that Kitsey’s phone isn’t in the place she usually keeps it on the side of the table.... (full context)

Theo’s engagement party is taking place at a highly esteemed private club, hosted by Kitsey’s godmother, Anne de Larmessin. Hundreds of people are invited, only about a dozen of whom... (full context)

...sold, too, indicating that he knows they are not authentic. Theo panics. At this moment, Kitsey comes over, and Havistock takes her aside to get a drink and “have a good... (full context)

...Hobie, but is interrupted by Platt, who asks if everything is ok between Theo and Kitsey. (full context)

Unexpectedly, Platt announces that Tom doesn’t love Kitsey, and that Theo coming into her life was the best thing that could have happened... (full context)

...the woman he’s marrying, and Boris observes that he’s blushing. However, when Theo points out Kitsey in the crowd, Boris announces that she is the “Loveliest woman in the room! Divine!... (full context)

Boris jokes that Kitsey is too good for Theo, and Theo replies that many people think this. He also... (full context)

...the menu, he realizes that the last proper meal he ate was takeout curry in Kitsey’s apartment two days ago. Seeing Theo stare, Boris assures him that after the deal, they... (full context)

...of hotel stationary in order to write four letters: one each for Hobie, Mrs. Barbour, Kitsey, and Pippa. Writing Kitsey’s letter, Theo is shocked by the formal tone he takes. He... (full context)

...“Be yourself,” but this advice could actually end up leading them astray. Theo thinks about Kitsey, whose deepest self leads her astray, but who chooses to overpower this with decisions that... (full context)

In Antwerp, Boris told Theo that despite everything—abandoning the engagement party, Everett—Theo could “have” either Kitsey or Pippa if he actually wanted to be with them. In a way, Theo can... (full context)