Remembering Babylon

by

David Malouf

Leona Gonzalez Character Analysis

Leona is a young woman who lives with Mrs. Hutchence, and though they are not biologically related, Leona calls Mrs. Hutchence “Ma.” Leona is elegant and refined and draws the affections of both Hec Gosper and George Abbott, even though she is considerably older than both of them. Even so, Leona spends many afternoons entertaining both young men at Mrs. Hutchence’s house, along with Janet, Meg, and Gemmy. As Janet observes, Leona is adept at masterfully manipulating both Hec and George, flirting playfully with both of them and, though she never hurts them, exerting a subtle but impressive control over them. Leona demonstrates to Janet that other forms of power are accessible to women beyond the typically masculine, domineering, and ultimately illusory power she sees in the settlement’s men.

Leona Gonzalez Quotes in Remembering Babylon

The Remembering Babylon quotes below are all either spoken by Leona Gonzalez or refer to Leona Gonzalez. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Xenophobia Theme Icon
).
Chapter 8 Quotes

[Janet] saw something else as well. That in playing his part, Mr. Abbot had no more to do than Hector had. They only thought they were playing, because Leona managed things so cleverly, putting words into their mouths they they had never in fact spoken, and taking both parts herself.

Related Characters: Janet McIvor, Ellen McIvor, Leona Gonzalez, George Abbot, Hector (Hec) Gosper
Page Number: 90
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Remembering Babylon LitChart as a printable PDF.
Remembering Babylon PDF

Leona Gonzalez Quotes in Remembering Babylon

The Remembering Babylon quotes below are all either spoken by Leona Gonzalez or refer to Leona Gonzalez. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Xenophobia Theme Icon
).
Chapter 8 Quotes

[Janet] saw something else as well. That in playing his part, Mr. Abbot had no more to do than Hector had. They only thought they were playing, because Leona managed things so cleverly, putting words into their mouths they they had never in fact spoken, and taking both parts herself.

Related Characters: Janet McIvor, Ellen McIvor, Leona Gonzalez, George Abbot, Hector (Hec) Gosper
Page Number: 90
Explanation and Analysis: