The Sea, The Sea

Main Characters and Their Development

• Charles Arrowby — a retired theater director who moves to the coast. Throughout the narrative, he explores his past relationships and confronts personal demons while trying to find true peace and solitude.
• James Arrowby — Charles's nephew, with whom the protagonist has a complex relationship. Gradually, a bond forms between them, helping Charles to rethink his views on family and love.
• Hartley Fitch — the first and, in Charles's opinion, true love of the protagonist. Her appearance near his new home comes as a surprise and triggers a wave of memories and renewed feelings.
• Ben Fitch — Hartley's husband, whose character and relationship with Hartley play a key role in the plot's development and influence Charles's actions.
• Rosamund — a long-time friend of Charles who visits him and brings elements of her presence into his current life by the sea, thereby affecting his decisions and worldview.