On Chesil Beach

Main Characters and Their Development

• Florence Ponting - a young woman from a well-off family, a talented violinist. She experiences fear and aversion to physical intimacy, which becomes a major issue in her marriage. Throughout the book, Florence tries to cope with her feelings and find a way to maintain her relationship with her husband.
• Edward Mayhew - a young man from a more modest background, a historian by profession. He genuinely loves Florence and seeks physical closeness with her, leading to conflict. Edward goes through disappointment and pain as he tries to understand and accept his wife's feelings.