Platt Barbour Character Analysis in The Goldfinch

Platt is the eldest of the Barbour children. When he is a teenager he is a “champion lacrosse player and a bit of a psychopath,” who torments Andy mercilessly. Later, Platt explains that he was sent to boarding school at a very young age in order to hide the truth of Mr. Barbour’s bipolar condition from him. As an adult, Platt gets a job at an academic publishing house. He is deeply changed by the deaths of his father and brother, and develops a drinking problem. However, despite his troubles, he is deep down a kind person who regrets his cruel treatment of Andy and treasures his friendship with Theo.

Platt Barbour Character Timeline in The Goldfinch

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

...that because Andy is still asleep, Theo can rest in the room of Andy’s brother Platt, who is away at boarding school. (full context)

Platt is “a champion lacrosse player and a bit of a psychopath,” with violent tendencies. Mr.... (full context)

...is a star pupil, and would have been sent to the same boarding school as Platt if his parents hadn’t been too worried about him being bullied. Now, Andy apologizes for... (full context)

...When Theo approaches him, Tom offers a half-hearted “sorry,” before teasing him for dressing like Platt. For the first time since Audrey’s death, Theo laughs. (full context)

...to come to the dining room for breakfast. Following her, Theo is surprised to see Platt sitting at the table. Platt looks hungover, and Andy and his parents are having another... (full context)

...go out to lunch. Mrs. Barbour responds vaguely; she is distracted by the fact that Platt, who has just come home, is in trouble at boarding school. Andy suggests that they... (full context)

...Hobie’s, although the atmosphere at the Barbours’ is horrible. Neither Andy nor Theo know what Platt has done, but it’s clear that it’s bad. Andy comments that Platt is Mrs. Barbour’s... (full context)

...feels horrifically hungover. Mr. Barbour asks Theo about Larry, trying to keep his tone friendly. Platt mentions that Theo was drunk last night, and Mr. Barbour immediately sends him to his... (full context)

...shabby but preppy clothing, with the look of “privilege gone wrong.” He reintroduces himself as Platt Barbour. Whereas previously Platt had an arrogant, boisterous look, he now appears anxious and exhausted.... (full context)

...is dumbstruck. He had often thought of calling Andy, but never got around to it. Platt apologizes for telling Theo so bluntly on the street, and suggests they get a drink... (full context)

Platt explains that the true nature of Mr. Barbour’s condition was kept hidden from the children.... (full context)

Platt explains that Mr. Barbour’s condition led him to go out sailing in dangerous conditions. He... (full context)

On the day of the accident, Mr. Barbour, Platt, and Andy all went out on the boat together. Mr. Barbour fell in the water... (full context)

When they arrive at the Barbours’ apartment, Platt steers Theo away from the living room, explaining, “We’re very informal now” and directing him... (full context)

As Theo is leaving, Platt mentions that he’s seen Tom Cable a lot recently, who Platt recalls was a “pothead”... (full context)

...In the years since he’s seen her, she’s become very beautiful. She is followed by Platt, who apologetically says that Mrs. Barbour would like them to come and eat in her... (full context)

...has returned home. He notices that Kitsey watches him throughout most of the meal. After, Platt—who seems quite drunk—tells Theo that Kitsey is on anti-depressants, and that he hopes they work... (full context)

...a skilled sailor, and thus perhaps could have saved Andy and Mr. Barbour from death. Platt asks Theo to take Kitsey out for dinner, saying it would “thrill Mommy senseless.” (full context)

...Hobie adds that Theo also got a call from Lucius Reeve—which causes Theo to choke—and Platt. (full context)

...speaks to Kitsey, who asks him to come back for dinner. He then speaks to Platt, who asks if he can subtly help sell some of the family’s furniture. Platt doesn’t... (full context)

Theo is relieved when he gets off the phone that he feels euphoric. Platt is the perfect person to help him: from a respectable background, yet capable of being... (full context)

...anything particularly grave. Theo tells him about Lucius Reeve (though he omits the detail about Platt), and then keeps talking, continuing his confession until Hobie asks him to stop talking. Theo... (full context)

...isn’t completely sure. He pours himself some vodka and calls the Barbours. Mrs. Barbour and Platt are both out, so he opts to ring back later. He thinks about Reeve, reasoning... (full context)

...to turn him into a different 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... (full context)

...believe a word of what she’s saying. He notes that when he first bumped into Platt on the street months ago, Platt mentioned that Tom and Kitsey were dating. Apparently Tom... (full context)

...get her some food. Theo tries to dash over to 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... (full context)