Clarence Hervey

     The description of Clarence Hervey's complicates his character by creating a disconnect between his perception of himself and the way he is perceived by others. In his own opinion, Clarence Hervey is an intelligent, original and well liked individual. But when told through the narration, it is apparent that the narrator is not as intriguing as initially thought to be. The narrator points out his flaws; that he is easily manipulate by the influence of others: "He was sometimes provoked, sometimes amused and sometimes flattered" (34). This unevenness in his character suggests that his disposition is unpredictable and inconsistent which makes his motives and actions difficult to interpret.       
    Much of the descriptions provided for the reader about Mr. Hervey are of what he thinks of himself and hardly of what others think of him: "He had been flattered with the idea that he was a young man of genius" (5). The only information we are given outside of Hervey's speculated opinion are the facts from the narrator. The lack of interactions with other characters or Hervey directly sets up a very defined judgment by the reader which could be difficult to alter given the lack of outside resources.