Harry Aberdeen: Character Analysis
Quick Facts: Harry is Hazel's childhood friend and first love. He is instrumental in the Linden sisters being taken in by his mother, Bridgette 'Bridie' Aberdeen, during the evacuation to Binsey. His artistic talent and the guilt he carries over Flora's disappearance shape his life.
Who He Is
Harry Aberdeen is the embodiment of a life lived passionately and authentically. As a boy, he is a charming and adventurous companion to the Linden sisters, introducing them to the magic of Binsey. The trauma of Flora's disappearance casts a long shadow over his life, fueling his art and shaping his choices. His reunion with Hazel as an adult forces them both to confront their shared past, offering a chance for healing and a "better ending" to their story.
Personality & Traits
Harry's personality is a blend of youthful exuberance and deep sensitivity, shaped by his artistic nature and the burden of guilt he carries. He is a loyal friend, a loving son, and a passionate soul who seeks beauty and truth in the world around him.
- Kind and Welcoming: From their first meeting in Oxford, Harry is compassionate towards Hazel and Flora, convincing his mother to take in the evacuee sisters. He helps Hazel when her knapsack breaks, demonstrating his immediate concern for their well-being.
- Imaginative and Adventurous: Harry shares his mother's love for stories and the natural world, introducing the sisters to the local legends of Binsey, such as the story of St. Frideswide at the treacle well. This aligns with the theme of The Power of Stories and Imagination.
- Artistic and Sensitive: Harry expresses himself through his art, leaving daily sketches for the sisters and later pursuing painting as a career. As an adult, his paintings are a direct reflection of his memories and emotions, particularly his unresolved feelings about Binsey, Flora, and Hazel.
- Loyal and Protective: He stands up for Hazel, Flora, and Kelty against the Baldwin twins, showing a strong sense of justice and loyalty to his friends.
- Burdened by Guilt: For two decades, Harry believes his decision to leave Flora alone by the river for a few minutes led to her disappearance. This guilt shapes his life until the truth is revealed.
- Exuberant and Playful: He has a lighthearted and charming nature, often teasing Hazel and sharing in his mother's playful spirit. This exuberance remains a core part of his personality as an adult.
Character Journey
Harry's journey is one of artistic and emotional maturation, deeply intertwined with the trauma of Flora's disappearance. As a boy, he is a carefree guide and friend, but the events of October 19, 1940, thrust him into a premature world of Grief, Loss, and Hope. The suspicion cast upon him and his mother, combined with his personal guilt, forces him to grow up quickly. Though he initially studies mathematics at university, he ultimately rejects a conventional path to pursue his true passion for art, moving to the artist colony of St. Ives. This decision shows his commitment to living an authentic life, even if it's not the easiest one. His art becomes the primary outlet for his unresolved past, as seen in his gallery show featuring numerous sketches of Binsey and the sisters. His reunion with Hazel marks the final stage of his development. He is forced to confront the past he has both immortalized and tried to escape. Learning that Imogene Wright kidnapped Flora absolves him of the guilt he has carried for twenty years, freeing him to fully reconnect with Hazel and pursue the "better ending" their story deserves.
Key Relationships
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Hazel Mersey Linden: Harry is Hazel's first love, and their bond is the emotional core of the novel's romantic plot. Their relationship is built on shared adventures, mutual affection, and the deep trauma of losing Flora. Even after twenty years of separation, their connection is immediate and powerful, representing a life of passion and authenticity that Hazel has shied away from.
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Bridgette 'Bridie' Aberdeen: Harry shares a loving and supportive relationship with his mother. He understands her unconventional nature and they are a source of strength for each other, especially after Flora's disappearance when the town's gossip turns on them.
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Flora Lea Linden: Harry acts as a playful and protective older brother to Flora. He is charmed by her innocence and imagination. His perceived failure to protect her becomes the great wound of his life.
Defining Moments
Harry's life is marked by moments of joy, tragedy, and revelation, each shaping his character and influencing his path.
- Meeting in Oxford (September 1939): Harry spots Hazel and Flora in the town hall and insists his mother take them in, setting the entire story in motion. This act of kindness and compassion defines his character from the outset.
- The Story of St. Frideswide (September 1939): By sharing the local legend at the treacle well, Harry introduces the sisters to the magic of Binsey and demonstrates his own imaginative spirit.
- The Kiss in the Hollow Tree (October 19, 1940): Harry and Hazel share their first kiss, a moment of innocent desire that is immediately followed by the tragedy of Flora's disappearance. Harry later reveals he believed this distraction was the cause of the tragedy.
- The Art Show (March 1960): Hazel discovers Harry's gallery show in London, where his paintings reveal that he has never forgotten their time in Binsey. The sketches of Flora and Hazel make his enduring love and unresolved grief tangible.
- The Revelation (March 20, 1960): Harry is present when Dot (Flora) remembers being lured to the river by Imogene. This moment frees him from two decades of self-blame, allowing him to finally heal.
- The Reunion at Hogan's (April 1960): Harry seeks out Hazel at the bookshop, declaring he is looking for something "rare and true," symbolizing his choice to pursue a future with her.
Symbolism
Harry symbolizes a life lived with passion, creativity, and authenticity. He chooses the uncertain life of an artist over a more stable career in mathematics, representing a path of following one's heart. For Hazel, he is the embodiment of her past—a time of both idyllic innocence and devastating trauma. His art serves as a physical manifestation of Truth, Memory, and Secrets, demonstrating how the past is never truly gone and continues to seek expression. His return to Hazel's life represents the chance to rewrite their story and achieve the "consolation of a happy ending" that fairy tales promise.
Essential Quotes
"Mum!" Harry called, all the while his gaze remaining on Hazel. "Come here, please?"
This quote captures Harry's immediate connection with Hazel and his proactive nature. From the moment he sees her, he is drawn to her, setting in motion the events that will shape their lives.
"There is another story about this well, even older than Alice in Wonderland... Not very long ago and not very far away there was an Oxford princess named Frideswide."
Harry's sharing of the legend of St. Frideswide reveals his imaginative spirit and his connection to the local folklore of Binsey. It also foreshadows the themes of storytelling and the power of imagination that run throughout the novel.
"So if I didn’t know the story, and Mum didn’t know, that means Flora might have lived? She didn’t die or drown that day; she lived to tell your story?"
This quote highlights Harry's deep-seated guilt and his desperate hope that Flora might still be alive. It reveals the weight he carries and his yearning for a different outcome.
"I seek imagination and goodness, woodlands and magical creatures, and a river where stars flow to the sea."
Harry's declaration encapsulates his artistic soul and his desire for a life filled with beauty and wonder. It reflects his commitment to pursuing his passions and his belief in the power of imagination.