Themes & patterns

The book explores the nature of artistic creation, the sacrifices required for genius, and the tension between commercial success and artistic integrity, as seen through Vernon's musical ambitions and Sebastian's patronage of the arts.

Class distinctions and anti-Semitism are prominent, with characters like the Levinnes facing social ostracism despite their wealth, while the Deyres' aristocratic heritage is contrasted with the rising power of money.

Romantic love is portrayed as both transformative and destructive, with characters like Vernon and Nell facing painful choices between love, duty, and personal ambition, leading to profound loss.

World War I serves as a backdrop, causing death, trauma, and displacement—Vernon's father is killed, Vernon himself is reported dead, and the war reshapes relationships and identities.

The theme of lost or fractured identity is central, exemplified by Vernon's amnesia after the war, his adoption of the name 'George Green,' and the struggle to reclaim his past and self.

Heredity shapes the characters' destinies, as seen in the Deyre lineage, the Levinne family's Jewish heritage, and the influence of parents on children's choices and personalities.

Money is depicted as a force that can buy beauty, influence, and social standing, but also corrupts and isolates, as Sebastian's wealth enables his artistic ventures but also attracts prejudice.

Vernon's imaginary friend Mr. Green and the secret games with Joe and Sebastian highlight the importance of childhood imagination as a refuge from adult realities and social constraints.

Marriage is often portrayed as a compromise or a trap, with Myra's unhappy union with Walter Deyre and Nell's pragmatic second marriage to George Chetwynd illustrating the tension between love and social obligation.