Oh William!

Main Characters and Their Development

• Lucy Barton — the central figure of the novel and the narrator of the story. She is a middle-aged writer going through a challenging period in her life, reflecting on her past, marriage, and relationship with her ex-husband. Throughout the novel, Lucy analyzes and re-evaluates her life choices, leading to personal growth and self-understanding.
• William Gerard, Lucy's ex-husband, is another key character in the story. He is a complex, sometimes contradictory character, bound to Lucy by a long-standing relationship full of ups and downs. As the narrative progresses, William comes to terms with some past mistakes and seeks understanding and forgiveness for himself, as well as for Lucy, which is also part of his development.