Edward / Lord Trimingham the Eleventh Viscount Character Analysis in The Go-Between

At the end of the novel, Leo encounters the grandson of Marian. His resemblance to Ted confirms that Marian’s child—that is, Edward’s parent—was not Hugh Trimingham, but rather Ted. This post-war Trimingham has fewer trappings of status and wealth than did his grandfather, and only lives in a small part of Brandham Hall (the rest have been let out to a girls’ school). He is afraid to get married as, fully aware of the terrible events in the summer of 1900, he fears there is a curse on him that he would pass down to any children he might have. He apologizes to Leo for what took place at Brandham Hall—the only character to do so.

Edward / Lord Trimingham the Eleventh Viscount Quotes in The Go-Between

The The Go-Between quotes below are all either spoken by Edward / Lord Trimingham the Eleventh Viscount or refer to Edward / Lord Trimingham the Eleventh Viscount. 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:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the New York Review of Books edition of The Go-Between published in 1953.

Tell him this, Leo, make him see it and feel it, it will be the best day’s work you ever did. Remember how you loved taking our messages, bringing us together and making us happy—well, this is another errand of love, and the last time I shall ever ask you to be our postman…Tell him there’s no spell or curse except an unloving heart.

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 260

Explanation and Analysis:

Edward / Lord Trimingham the Eleventh Viscount Character Timeline in The Go-Between

The timeline below shows where the character Edward / Lord Trimingham the Eleventh Viscount appears in The Go-Between. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Leo informs the eleventh Viscount that he had stayed at Brandham in his youth and knew his grandfather, the ninth... (full context)

The eleventh viscount says that his grandmother is quite lonely, and asks whether Leo would mind going to... (full context)

The eleventh viscount returns and informs Leo that Marian would be very happy to see him; she has... (full context)

Leo and the eleventh viscount part ways, planning to meet for lunch at the Hall around one. Trimingham begins walking... (full context)

...a good shot?” She says Ted had a weak streak in him, like her grandson Edward (the eleventh Viscount). (full context)

Marian complains that her grandson, Edward, doesn’t visit her often. She asks if Edward reminds Leo of anyone. She says that... (full context)

Marian asks Leo to tell Edward “what really happened.” She says that only he knows that she and Ted weren’t “ordinary... (full context)

...happy. They entrusted him with their “greatest treasure.” She implores Leo to go and tell Edward that her and Ted’s love was nothing to be ashamed of. She says that they... (full context)

...wouldn’t have blown them out.” Leo owes it to Ted, and to her, to tell Edward that there’s no curse or spell except “an unloving heart.” (full context)