Charles Wales is presented as a very lonely man trying to reform his ways. His wife is dead and his daughter is living with his sister and brother in law. Charles blames himself for his wife’s death, and ultimately, his loneliness. His quest for redemption is mainly fueled by his guilt. His many flaws, such as, alcoholism are displayed throughout the story and are the cause of most of his problems in his past. His past plagues him many times throughout the story and even prevents him from having custody of Honoria. However, he is a character that a reader cannot help, but sympathize with. The narrator helps to evoke these feelings through the insight into Charles’ thoughts. For example, when Charles is reflecting on his past he explains, “His first feeling was one of awe that he had actually, in his mature years, stolen a tricycle and pedaled Lorraine all over the Étoile between the small hours and dawn. …show more content…
However, this idea is mitigated when he again reflects on his past and seems quite nostalgic towards it. For instance, Charlie considers how he ruined Paris for himself when he thinks, “I spoiled this city for myself. I didn't realize it, but the days came along one after another, and then two years were gone, and everything was gone, and I was gone. It is questionable whether Charles is going to stay on the straight and narrow path or fall off the wagon. This leaves the reader rooting for Charles, but this sympathy is mitigated by his sometimes wanting to return to his former lifestyle. Whether he has reformed or not is certainly a question that is never