The End of the Affair Characters

Maurice Bendrix is the narrator and protagonist of The End of the Affair and Sarah Miles’s lover. Sarah calls him Maurice, but everyone else calls him Bendrix. An unmarried writer, Bendrix lives alone in… read analysis of Maurice Bendrix

The other protagonist of the novel, Sarah is Henry’s wife and Bendrix’s lover. Because Henry is unable to sexually satisfy her, Sarah participates in a series of affairs throughout their marriage. Despite this… read analysis of Sarah Miles

Henry is a simple, honest civil servant who is married to Sarah. Although Henry is always very kind to his wife, he is unable to sexually satisfy her, so she turns to extramarital affairs… read analysis of Henry Miles

Richard Smythe is an atheist who regularly goes to a public park to speak to passersby about the nonexistence of God and passes out cards with his sister, Miss Smythe, inviting people to talk… read analysis of Richard Smythe

Lance is Mr. Parkis’s son and apprentice in the art of following people for Mr. Savage, who runs a private detective agency. Lance often helps his father by keeping watch and deflecting suspicion… read analysis of Lance

Father Crompton is a Catholic priest who shows up at Henry’s house after Sarah’s death to try to convince Henry to give her a proper Catholic burial instead of having her cremated in… read analysis of Father Crompton

Sarah’s mother. Mrs. Bertram didn’t regularly visit Sarah and Henry, as she’s convinced that Henry doesn’t like her. Mrs. Bertram regularly finds excuses to ask Henry for money and even asks Bendrix for… read analysis of Mrs. Bertram

The “discreet” private detective that Bendrix hires to have Sarah followed. Bendrix learns of Mr. Savage from Henry, who suspects that Sarah is having an affair but is uncomfortable with actually hiring a private… read analysis of Mr. Savage

Richard Smythe’s sister, who lives with him. Miss Smythe and Richard invite people to their apartment to discuss atheism, and it is Miss Smythe’s job to help make those who come to visit feel… read analysis of Miss Smythe

Sylvia is the young and beautiful protégé of Peter Waterbury, a literary critic who meets with Bendrix the day of Sarah’s funeral. Bendrix knows Sylvia is looking for a mentor to teach her… read analysis of Sylvia Black

Peter Waterbury is a literary critic who is going to write an article about Bendrix and his works. Waterbury meets with Bendrix on the day of Sarah’s funeral to interview him and get his… read analysis of Peter Waterbury