Character Relationship Map: Percy

Characters

• Edwin Anthony (played by Hywel Bennett) — protagonist

  Edwin is the recipient of the pioneering transplant performed by Emmanuel Whitbread. While recovering, he learns that Hazel plans to leave him and becomes the focus of public attention and crude jokes...

• Emmanuel Whitbread (played by Denholm Elliott) — protagonist

  The womanizer who falls naked from a high-rise while carrying a chandelier and lands on Edwin Anthony, killing himself and causing Edwin's genital injury. His very large penis is used in the world's f...

• Moira Warrington (played by Cyd Hayman) — supporting

  Moira warns Edwin that people know who he is and are pursuing him. Her warning reflects the attention created by his transplant and helps him understand the pressures and complications that publicity...

• Hazel Anthony (played by Janet Key) — supporting

  Hazel is Edwin's wife, and their marriage is failing. Edwin learns that she intends to leave him for James Vaile and tries to tell her about his operation, but their telephone call is cut off before s...

• Marilyn (played by Julia Foster) — minor

  Marilyn is one of the women Edwin encounters after the transplant brings him unexpected sexual attention. Their encounter makes him reconsider his behavior: he realizes that intimacy means little unle...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Edwin Anthony → Marilyn (Romantic Encounter) — His encounter with Marilyn prompts Edwin to question his casual pursuit of sexual attention.

  The reference says Edwin has an encounter with Marilyn that makes him reconsider his behavior and realize intimacy means little without genuine care.

• Edwin Anthony → Hazel Anthony (Family Estranged Spouses) — Edwin tries to tell Hazel about his operation, but their call is cut off before she hears him; Hazel remains concerned about the publicity and his predicament.

  The reference describes Edwin's marriage as failing and says Hazel intends to leave him for James Vaile.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Edwin Anthony → Moira Warrington (Social Warning Adviser) — Moira alerts Edwin to the attention and pursuit caused by his public identity.

  Moira warns Edwin that people know who he is and are pursuing him.

• Emmanuel Whitbread → Edwin Anthony (Narrative Organ Donor And Recipient) — Emmanuel's donated organ transforms Edwin's life and brings him unwanted public attention and new sexual opportunities.

  Edwin becomes the recipient of the transplant, and his donor is later identified as a man who died at the hospital on the day of his operation. The ch...

Story Analysis

A transplant draws Edwin into public attention, personal uncertainty, and reflection on intimacy and identity.

Plot Progression

1. A Transplant in the Spotlight — Whitbread announces the transplant, and Edwin becomes its recipient. His failing marriage and interrupted attempt to tell Hazel leave him facing the operation's consequences alone.
2. Searching for the Donor — Public attention and crude jokes unsettle Edwin, prompting him to seek the donor's identity. Sister Flanagan gives him a list of men who died on the day of the operation.
3. A Life Reconstructed — A woman describes the man she lost, giving Edwin a personal account of the donor's character and interests. She offers Edwin a room because he reminds her of the man she misses.
4. Attention and Reflection — Edwin begins meeting women as the transplant brings him unexpected sexual attention. His encounter with Marilyn makes him question intimacy without genuine care, while Moira warns him about being purs...
5. Fame Becomes a Business — Hazel remains concerned about the publicity and Edwin's predicament, while requests from across the country reveal commercial interest in transplants. The story closes with Edwin recognized from the n...