Spies

by

Michael Frayn

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Geoff Wheatley Character Analysis

Geoff is Stephen’s older brother, who failed his Common Entrance exam and ended up going to the same “wrong school” as Stephen. Although he is a bit of a rebel (he smokes cigarettes with his girlfriend, Deirdre) and frequently harasses his little brother, he plays the role of the protective older brother whenever Stephen needs him most. Unlike Stephen, who winds up returning to Germany as an adult, Geoff lives as a British man for the rest of his life, fully comfortable in the country in which he grew up.
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Geoff Wheatley Character Timeline in Spies

The timeline below shows where the character Geoff Wheatley appears in Spies. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
Class Difference and Social Status Theme Icon
Memory and the Self Theme Icon
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
Secrecy Theme Icon
...Barbara Berrill and her sister Deirdre, who has been hanging around with Stephen’s older brother Geoff lately. The girls’ father is away fighting in the war, and “everyone says they’re running... (full context)
Class Difference and Social Status Theme Icon
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
...own house was never a possibility. Unlike Keith, Stephen shared a room with his brother Geoff. While Keith had a separate playroom, Stephen had to play and do homework in his... (full context)
Class Difference and Social Status Theme Icon
Imagination vs. Reality Theme Icon
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
...particular, the strange language that only his father used. Stephen’s father would call his and Geoff’s messy room a “coodle-moodle,” and whenever Stephen would say something nonsensical, his father would call... (full context)
Chapter 4
Imagination vs. Reality Theme Icon
Although Stephen is constantly fidgeting, eager to go back to the lookout, Stephen’s mother and Geoff —who mocks Keith’s wild imaginings—prevent him from going out, especially since it is a Friday... (full context)
Chapter 5
Imagination vs. Reality Theme Icon
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
Secrecy Theme Icon
...Keith’s mother is taking a message to Auntie Dee’s boyfriend. She explains that Deirdre and Geoff have seen the two kissing in the tunnel, and that Mrs. Hardiment once saw this... (full context)
Chapter 6
Imagination vs. Reality Theme Icon
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
Secrecy Theme Icon
...his parents worried and looking for him out in the night with flashlights. It seems Geoff has told on him. Stephen’s parents scold and question him, making sure he hasn’t gotten... (full context)
Chapter 8
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
Secrecy Theme Icon
...Deirdre, and saw the mysterious man. Barbara then says that she knows where Deirdre was—with Geoff. She says that Deirdre and Geoff meet up to smoke together and kiss. Stephen pretends... (full context)
Secrecy Theme Icon
...her mouth, and Stephen cries out that she’ll get germs from it. Barbara suspects that Geoff and Deirdre were here smoking and kissing, and Stephen is horrified. (full context)
Chapter 10
Imagination vs. Reality Theme Icon
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
Secrecy Theme Icon
...and says nothing about what happened. His parents also ask about the missing rations, and Geoff speculates about what could have happened. Barbara then knocks on their door to ask for... (full context)
Chapter 11
Memory and the Self Theme Icon
Imagination vs. Reality Theme Icon
War, Paranoia, and Belonging Theme Icon
Secrecy Theme Icon
...his family. Though Stephen himself eventually returned to Germany, he says that his brother remained “Geoff Wheatley” and stayed English, only speaking German on his deathbed. (full context)