The Real Thing Character Analysis

The Artist

The narrator of “The Real Thing” is an unnamed artist who is the protagonist of the story. He lives in London in a home that also contains his studio. Although he dreams of being a… read analysis of The Artist

Mrs. Monarch

Mrs. Monarch is an aristocrat who, with her husband Major Monarch, has fallen on hard times and is seeking employment, as they desperately need money. The two of them are used in the story… read analysis of Mrs. Monarch

Major Monarch

Major Monarch is an aristocratic gentleman who, with his wife Mrs. Monarch, no longer has a fortune and now looks to be employed in order to have an income. With Mrs. Monarch, he is… read analysis of Major Monarch

Miss Churm

Miss Churm is a working-class woman who works as a model for the artist. She is plain, freckled, and uneducated, although she is clever and witty. She is the artist’s ideal model, as she… read analysis of Miss Churm

Oronte

Oronte is an Italian immigrant who is another of the artist’s favorite models. He is extremely expressive and has a knack for imitation. He doesn’t speak any English, and he astonishes the artist with… read analysis of Oronte

Jack Hawley

Jack Hawley is a long-time friend of the artist and has a knack for art criticism. Although he is not a good painter, the artist relies on Jack’s input on his work. In the story… read analysis of Jack Hawley

Artistic Advisor

The artistic advisor is an employee at the publishing house that hires the artist to create illustrations for a special edition of a series of books by the (fictional) novelist Philip Vincent. The artist… read analysis of Artistic Advisor

Minor Characters

Philip Vincent

Philip Vincent is a fictional novelist. As described in the story, Vincent had once been neglected by the public, but is now a well-known and widely-admired writer. The artist is hired to make illustrations to accompany a new edition of a set of Philip Vincent’s works.

Claude Rivet

Claude Rivet is a painter of landscapes and an acquaintance of the artist. He recommends Mrs. Monarch and Major Monarch to seek modeling opportunities from the artist. He also tells them about the artist’s upcoming project to illustrate Philip Vincent’s books.

The Real Thing

Henry James

The Real Thing Characters