I Capture the Castle

The American-born Cotton brothers are instigators of plot and action in the novel. Before their introduction, the Mortmain family was almost completely isolated from society. The Cottons’ extravagant wealth attracts the interest of the Mortmains, and their role as the Mortmains’ landlords allows them to interact with the family regularly. Neil and Simon Cotton are relatively flat characters; the growth they experience in the novel is restricted to, and dependent upon, Rose’s attention.

Simon is the young heir of Scoatney Hall. Cassandra describes him as having “a most unusual voice, very quiet and very interesting” (50), with a distinct Boston accent. He begins the novel with a black beard that startles most of the Mortmain family as it is unusual to see such a young man in England. He shaves it for Rose as a condition of their engagement. Simon writes literary criticism and admires James Mortmain’s innovative work. Cassandra describes him as open to the historicism that Scoatney Hall and the English countryside represent. Simon sincerely loves Rose but seeks Cassandra’s attention and company to compensate for Rose’s lack of love for him.

His brother, Neil, was raised in California and, therefore, speaks differently than Simon. Neil prefers America to England and desires to start a partnership on a ranch in California, which he attains by the novel’s conclusion. He has blonde, curly hair and an attractive appearance. Though he was initially open about his interest in Rose, he pretends to dislike her when Rose and Simon are together. His feelings never fade, however, and Neil eventually proposes eloping with Rose. Like Simon, Neil’s character does not change much in the novel as his focus on work, America, and Rose remain consistent. 

A supporting and dynamic character in I Capture the Castle, James Mortmain is the well-respected author of Jacob Wrestling. Following an incident with previous neighbors, Mortmain is briefly incarcerated. Upon his release and his wife’s death several years later, Mortmain struggles to regain his confidence as an author. He does not work but spends most of his time reading detective novels. Though Cassandra notes that his mood improved directly following his marriage to Topaz, he becomes depressed again. At the start of the book, Mortmain is extremely solitary, irritable, and fails to give Topaz attention and affection. With the introduction of the Cottons, particularly the literary Mrs. Cotton, Mortmain’s creativity is stimulated to begin collecting what he deems “materials,” or moments of inspiration. His behavior becomes erratic, which worries his children. The Cottons’ influence and his time locked in Belmotte Tower help Mortmain regain his confidence and begin writing again. His character arc and concept of “search-creation” relate to Cassandra’s artistic journey as both look to collect inspiration from their immediate surroundings.

Mortmain’s wife, Topaz, is a famous artist’s model. Cassandra describes her as having a deep voice, very pale skin, and long hair; she is strikingly beautiful. Topaz happily runs the Mortmain household as she believes in supporting Mortmain’s art. She enjoys being nude as a form of therapy. Cassandra has a meaningful relationship with Topaz, though Rose does not feel as close to her. Topaz is a static character whose support of Mortmain and dedication to the family provide a reliable structure to Cassandra’s home life.

Thomas, the youngest of the Mortmain children at 15 years old, attends school in nearby King’s Crypt. Cassandra writes how she notices Thomas growing up, especially after the family’s financial prospects change after meeting the Cottons and there is enough food for everyone to eat. While Stephen, the son of their previous housekeeper, is not related to any of the Mortmain family, he is regarded as one of them. Stephen continues to work at the castle even though the Mortmains cannot pay him. Cassandra initially describes him as “very fair and noble-looking but his expression is just a fraction daft” (9). Her opinion of him shifts as he becomes more affectionate toward her. The other characters regard Stephen as extremely handsome, and he begins a modeling and acting career through the mentorship of Leda Fox-Cotton. By the novel’s conclusion, Stephen is a foil for Simon in Cassandra’s life: a man she deeply cares about but does not love.