Darcus is Clara’s father, an “odiferous, moribund, salivating old man” who, before his death, rarely moved from his position in a bug-infested armchair in a corner of the Bowdens’ home. He came over from Jamaica 14 years before his wife, Hortense, and daughter, ostensibly to earn enough money for them to join him, but he became afflicted by “the most incredible lethargy,” creating “a lifelong affection for the dole [welfare], the armchair, and British television.”
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Darcus Bowden Character Timeline in White Teeth
The timeline below shows where the character Darcus Bowden appears in White Teeth. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
Hortense, Clara’s mother, tells her that not everyone can be saved, and asks Darcus, Clara’s father, if he agrees. He is an “odiferous, moribund, salivating old man” who seems...
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Chapter 15
...an end to them. Hortense’s house seems not to have changed in six years, though Darcus has died, leaving his chair empty. Hortense asks Irie if she is sick and treats...
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...Hortense tells her that the man is “Mr. Topps,” who has been helping her since Darcuss died. Irie realizes that Mr. Topps has been living in Hortense’s apartment for six years:...
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