Voyage in the Dark

by

Jean Rhys

Vincent Character Analysis

Vincent is Walter’s cousin. He claims to be very fond of Anna, though he tends to disparage and patronize her. When he hears that she’s a chorus girl, for example, he insists on helping her improve her theatrical skills and putting her in touch with influential figures in the theater world—but then he laughs when he discovers that she has only ever been in small shows. When Walter decides to break things off with Anna, he does so through Vincent, who writes to Anna on Walter’s behalf. He acts like he wants the best for Anna, but it’s clear that he just wants to help Walter ensure she won’t make a big deal out of how he treated her. In the end, he’s the one to arrange for Anna to receive money for an abortion.

Vincent Quotes in Voyage in the Dark

The Voyage in the Dark quotes below are all either spoken by Vincent or refer to Vincent. 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:
Homesickness, Memory, and Belonging Theme Icon
).
Part One: Chapter 8 Quotes

Walter is still very fond of you but he doesn’t love you like that any more, and after all you must always have known that the thing could not go on for ever and you must remember too that he is nearly twenty years older than you are. I’m sure that you are a nice girl and that you will think it over calmly and see that there is nothing to be tragic or unhappy or anything like that about.

Related Characters: Vincent (speaker), Anna Morgan
Page Number: 91
Explanation and Analysis:
Part Two: Chapter 1 Quotes

‘Well, I don’t need to be here either,’ I said. ‘I can get as much money as I like any time I like.’ I stretched, and watched my swollen shadow on the wall stretching too.

She said, ‘Well, I should say so—a lovely girl like you. And well under twenty, I should say. I’ve got a spare bedroom in my flat. Why don’t you come along and live with me for a bit? I’m looking for somebody to share with me. As a matter of fact I’d almost fixed it up with a pal of mine. She’ll put in twenty-five pounds and do the manicure and we’ll start a little business.’

‘Oh yes?’ I said.

‘Well, just between ourselves, I shan’t mind if I don’t fix it up with her. She’s a bit of a Nosey Parker. Why don’t you think it over? I’ve got a lovely spare room.’

Related Characters: Anna Morgan (speaker), Ethel Matthews (speaker), Walter Jeffries, Vincent
Page Number: 112
Explanation and Analysis:
Part Three: Chapter 6 Quotes

‘Poor little Anna,’ making his voice very kind. ‘I’m damned sorry you’ve been having a bad time.’ Making his voice very kind, but the look in his eyes was like a high, smooth, unclimbable wall. No communication possible. You have to be three-quarters mad even to attempt it.

‘You’ll be all right. And then you must pull yourself together and try to forget about the whole business and start fresh. Just make up your mind, and you’ll forget all about it.’

Related Characters: Vincent (speaker), Anna Morgan, Walter Jeffries
Page Number: 177
Explanation and Analysis:

I went and got the letters. I didn’t look at them, except the one on the top, which was, ‘Will you be in a taxi at the corner of Hay Hill and Dover Street at eleven tonight? Just wait there and I’ll pick you up. Shy Anna, I love you so much. Always, Walter.’

Related Characters: Anna Morgan (speaker), Walter Jeffries, Vincent
Page Number: 179
Explanation and Analysis:
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Voyage in the Dark PDF

Vincent Quotes in Voyage in the Dark

The Voyage in the Dark quotes below are all either spoken by Vincent or refer to Vincent. 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:
Homesickness, Memory, and Belonging Theme Icon
).
Part One: Chapter 8 Quotes

Walter is still very fond of you but he doesn’t love you like that any more, and after all you must always have known that the thing could not go on for ever and you must remember too that he is nearly twenty years older than you are. I’m sure that you are a nice girl and that you will think it over calmly and see that there is nothing to be tragic or unhappy or anything like that about.

Related Characters: Vincent (speaker), Anna Morgan
Page Number: 91
Explanation and Analysis:
Part Two: Chapter 1 Quotes

‘Well, I don’t need to be here either,’ I said. ‘I can get as much money as I like any time I like.’ I stretched, and watched my swollen shadow on the wall stretching too.

She said, ‘Well, I should say so—a lovely girl like you. And well under twenty, I should say. I’ve got a spare bedroom in my flat. Why don’t you come along and live with me for a bit? I’m looking for somebody to share with me. As a matter of fact I’d almost fixed it up with a pal of mine. She’ll put in twenty-five pounds and do the manicure and we’ll start a little business.’

‘Oh yes?’ I said.

‘Well, just between ourselves, I shan’t mind if I don’t fix it up with her. She’s a bit of a Nosey Parker. Why don’t you think it over? I’ve got a lovely spare room.’

Related Characters: Anna Morgan (speaker), Ethel Matthews (speaker), Walter Jeffries, Vincent
Page Number: 112
Explanation and Analysis:
Part Three: Chapter 6 Quotes

‘Poor little Anna,’ making his voice very kind. ‘I’m damned sorry you’ve been having a bad time.’ Making his voice very kind, but the look in his eyes was like a high, smooth, unclimbable wall. No communication possible. You have to be three-quarters mad even to attempt it.

‘You’ll be all right. And then you must pull yourself together and try to forget about the whole business and start fresh. Just make up your mind, and you’ll forget all about it.’

Related Characters: Vincent (speaker), Anna Morgan, Walter Jeffries
Page Number: 177
Explanation and Analysis:

I went and got the letters. I didn’t look at them, except the one on the top, which was, ‘Will you be in a taxi at the corner of Hay Hill and Dover Street at eleven tonight? Just wait there and I’ll pick you up. Shy Anna, I love you so much. Always, Walter.’

Related Characters: Anna Morgan (speaker), Walter Jeffries, Vincent
Page Number: 179
Explanation and Analysis: