Gormenghast (novel)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gormenghast | |
 First edition cover - 1950 |
|
| Author | Mervyn Peake |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Gormenghast |
| Genre(s) | Gothic, Fantasy |
| Publisher | Eyre & Spottiswoode |
| Publication date | 1950 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | NA |
| Preceded by | Titus Groan |
| Followed by | Titus Alone |
Gormenghast is a novel by Mervyn Peake, and is the second book in his Gormenghast series of novels (sometimes known as The Titus Books).
[edit] Plot summary
The second book follows the story of Titus from the age of seven to seventeen. As the novel opens Titus, as the 77th earl and lord of Gormenghast, dreads the life of pre-ordained ritual that stretches before him. Barquentine as Master of Ritual, and Steerpike his apprentice, are seen by Titus as the embodiment of all he wants to rebel against.
Steerpike, however, is in reality a dangerous traitor to Gormenghast who seeks to eventually wield ultimate power in the castle. To this end, he kills Barquentine so that he can replace him and so advance in power. Although he is successful in his murder of Barquentine, the old master of ritual put up such a severe struggle that Steerpike is severely injured in the process, suffering extensive burns and almost drowning. As Steerpike lies recovering in a delirious state from his ordeal, he cries out the words And the twins will make it five. [1]. This is overheard by the castle's doctor, Dr Prunesquallor, who is greatly disturbed to hear it. Although the reader is not told this explicitly, Steerpike's words are a clear reference to the number of people he has killed. The reference to the twins is to the aunts of Titus, the twin sisters Ladies Cora and Clarice. Steerpike has effectively been holding them captive in a remote and abandoned part of the castle, and they are utterly dependant on him for food and drink. Due to Steerpike's prolonged recovery he is unable to supply them (and at some level Steerpike is aware of this, even in his delirium), and by the time he has recovered they have already died of thirst and starvation.
Interestingly, it is not entirely clear who the five people are. The most obvious list includes the two masters of ritual, Sourdust and Barquentine, the twins Cora and Clarice, and Titus's old nurse Nannie Slagg. Although it is strongly implied that Steerpike has poisoned Mrs Slagg, the reader is never actually told this. Steerpike has a clear motive for doing so, as he wishes to ingratiate himself with Titus' sister Fuschia as part of his plans for advancement. Eliminating Nannie Slagg would remove the one person who shows affection and sympathy to Fuschia, and thus alienate her further from the life of the castle. Yet it is just plausible that Nannie Slagg has died of natural causes. She is portrayed as being old and frail, and her constant refrain is Oh my poor (or weak) heart. If Nannie Slagg is not the fifth person, then the obvious alternative is Titus' father, Sepulchrave the 76th earl of Groan. Although Steerpike is not directly physically responsible for his death, he is certainly morally responsible. It was Steerpike's actions in instigating the burning of the library (killing Sourdust in the resulting fire) that drove Sepulchrave to madness and taking his own life. Dr Prunesquallor discusses Steerpike's words with the Countess Gertrude, but they disagree over its meaning and the ambiguity over what Steerpike meant is never resolved. [2]. Nevertheless, both of them are now thoroughly suspicious about Steerpike and his role in the happenings of the castle. Although Steerpike appears to make a full recovery, he is disfigured and has developed a morbid fear of fire. It also becomes increasingly clear that the balance of his mind is increasingly disturbed.
Due to the vigilance of the old servant Flay Steerpike is eventually unmasked as the murderer of the aunts of Titus, Cora and Clarice. He becomes a renegade within the castle, using his extensive knowledge to hide within its vast regions, and waging a guerilla campaign of random killing with his catapult. Steerpike's capture seems impossible until the entire kingdom of Gormenghast is submerged in a flood, due to endless rains. The mud dwellers are forced to take refuge in the castle and the castle's own inhabitants are also forced to retreat to higher and higher floors within the castle as the flood waters keep rising. The result of this is that Steerpike is forced into an ever smaller area and so is eventually spotted and surrounded by the castle's forces. Even at this late stage, his ruthlessness and cunning mean that Steerpike almost evades capture. However, Titus realises that he is hiding in the ivy against the castle walls, and full of rage and hatred against Steerpike he pursues and kills him himself. Despite being hailed as a hero, Titus is intent on leaving Gormenghast to explore a wider world, and the novel ends with him dramatically riding away to seek his fortune in the unknown lands outside.
Another major plot is the unusual romance between Irma Prunesquallor and Titus' headmaster, Professor Bellgrove.
An important development for Titus is his brief meeting with his "foster sister" a feral girl known only as 'The Thing', the daughter of Titus' wet-nurse Keda of the Bright Carvers. The Thing, being an illegitimate child, is exiled by the Carvers and lives a feral life in the forests around Gormenghast. Titus is entranced by her wild grace, and sets out to meet her. He does so, and holds her briefly, but she flees him and is fatally struck by lightning. However, her fierce independence inspires Titus, and gives him courage to leave his home.
