The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

“Whoever this woman is, she’s clearly the reason I’m out here, but I can’t picture her.”

When the plot begins, Aiden’s only memory is the name Anna. The presence of this memory foreshadows the strong bond between the two characters and the pivotal role Anna will play in the plot. Aiden’s initial conviction that Anna is the reason he is at Blackheath later turns out to be correct, but in an unexpected and ironic way.

“I failed her this morning, and it’s all I’ve thought about since. Now that I have a second chance, I cannot turn my back.”

Responsibility and protectiveness are strong traits in Aiden’s character. At a time when he believes that he could leave Blackheath, he chooses to jeopardize his own safety and remain at the house because he feels a strong impulse to try and help Anna. Aiden doesn’t have any context or justification for this feeling, but he obeys it anyway. Aiden’s impulse to protect and defend Anna parallels his subsequent feelings of protectiveness towards Evelyn and his desire to avenge his sister’s death.

“This isn’t a celebration, it’s a punishment, and there’ll be fifty people in their very finest clothes watching it happen.”

Evelyn explains to Aiden that she is aware of her parents’ intentions and plans, revealing that she is a shrewd and observant character. Evelyn is also not sentimental and has accepted the toxic and vengeful nature of her relationship to her family.