Waterland

Main Characters and Their Development

• Tom Crick - The protagonist and narrator, a history teacher who uses his own life and family history to illustrate the importance of the past. His development is tied to his attempts to understand and explain the tragic events of his life, including his brother's death and the loss of a child.
• Mary Crick - Tom's wife, who experiences mental distress after the loss of their child. Her development involves grappling with guilt and seeking meaning in life after tragedy.
• Dick Crick - Tom's brother, who plays a key role in the tragic events of the past. His development is linked to his relationships with Mary and his own internal conflicts.
• Freddie Parr - A childhood friend of Tom and Mary, whose death becomes a central event in their lives. His development is limited, but his influence on the other characters is profound.
• Ernest Atkinson - Tom's grandfather, a former brewer and politician, whose actions and decisions have a lasting impact on the Crick family. His development is connected to his ambitions and downfall.