The Pocket Oxford Dictionary defines weakness as a state of being weak; defect, or a weak point.
Leo’s primary weakness in this novel is his belief that he possesses magical powers. This originates at school when he casts a ‘successful’ spell on two school bullies.
“’Have you heard the news?’
‘What news?’ I had hardly spoken to anybody.
‘About Jenkins and Strode.’ He looked at me narrowly.
‘What is it?’
‘They were out on the roofs last night and slipped… they’re both in
the San with concussion of the brain.’ ” (Pg 18)
Because of this incident, Leo truly believes that he can control people and events. During the end of his stay at Brandham Hall, he casts a spell to stop the passionate relationship between Marian and Ted. Ultimately, this personal weakness leads to his own mental breakdown although it does not cause the suicide of Ted.
Analysing the character of Leo, we can see that his personality is a product of the sheltered and protected environment he has grown up it. This environment has resulted in Leo being innocent and naïve, and also very infatuated with Marian. At Brandham Hall, he is just about to turn thirteen years old; he is on the brink of manhood. Leo is curious to learn about spooning and the facts of life.
“’The last time I was here,’ I said accusingly,
‘you said you would tell me something.’
‘Did I?’ said Ted
‘Yes, you said you’d tell me about spooning’
‘I know I did, but its really a job for your father. He’s
the one to tell you.’” (Pg 71)
Leo’s infatuation with Marian is a result of how he has been brought up. He has had no father figure in his life therefore his mother has blanketed him and influenced Leo into a slightly feminine character.
He views Marian as the Virgin. Throughout the novel Leo makes comparisons to Marian and the Virgin.
“Her father’s long eyelids drooped over her eyes, leaving them under a
glint of blue so deep and liquid that it might have been shining through
unshed hair. Her hair bright with sunshine… she looked formidable then.”
(Pg 41)
“As for the Virgin, the one distinctly female figure in the galaxy, I can scarcely say what she meant to me. She was dressed adequately, but only in the coils and sweeps of her long hair... She was, to me, the key to the whole pattern, the climax, the goddess” (Pg 11)
This is a small personal weakness as Leo’s judgment of Marian is cloudy. He does not see that Marian is manipulating him into delivering letters. However we cannot blame Leo for falling under Marian’s spell, she treats him nicely and buys him clothing.
In 1900, society has great expectations on young people to conform and only marry within their class. Marian has quietly rebelled against this idea by having a secret relationship with Ted (who is working class), when her mother wanted her to marry someone else.
“Very well. I’ll tell you, though Mama made me promise not to tell anyone. But can’t you guess? Marian is engaged to marry Lord Trimingham” (Pg 162)
In this novel, The Go-Between, Mrs Maudsley represents society. She is the one pressuring Marian to marry Hugh. In turn, Mrs Maudsley has huge pressure on herself to have her children married to respectable suitors in upper class.
In conclusion, Leo’s belief in his magical powers and his infatuation with Marian were personal weaknesses which contributed to crisis’s in the novel, The Go-Between. Leo’s belief of his own magical powers gave him an unrealistic view of himself at Brandham Hall. He thought he had the power to control people and events. Leo’s infatuation with Marian led to unclear judgment of her. Society certainly contributed to the major crises of the novel, if there was no pressure on Marian to marry an upper-class man, this story could have had a happy ending.
