Storm Clouds and Not Giving Up: The Character Arc of Childermass in JS&MN

What do we do when life sends us reeling? When we’re so physically and mentally overwhelmed that our minds fog up and every step feels like an accomplishment?

There’s a reason I haven’t appeared in your inbox for six months, but I don’t want to focus on the details of my particular challenges right now. I want to keep the attention on the collective experience of feeling submerged in darkness—whatever shape that darkness might take for you—and how to make it through.

What helps me the most is immersing myself in a story that shines some light. (Not a lot of light—too much feels harsh and doesn’t give the internal eyes time to adjust. More like the soft warmth of a candle.) This time, I found that healing light in Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, specifically in the character arc of Childermass, Mr. Norrell’s long-time servant and man of business.

I watched the BBC TV adaptation before I read the book. It’s rare that a screen adaptation meets or exceeds the original material, but in this case, it absolutely did. The writers beautifully condensed the narrative (over 800 pages!) into a true-to-spirit, stunning series that preserved all the wonder of the book. And the actors brought the characters fully to life.

I could write endlessly about the rich, layered, symbol-filled story Clarke has crafted (and I probably will, over time). But today, I want to share the scene that gave me the will to keep going.

—Spoilers ahead—

For context: Childermass (brilliantly interpreted by Enzo Cilenti) has long been devoted to The Raven King, an icon of the common man and symbol of freedom, nonconformity, and justice. He grew up hearing stories of the Raven King in the North of England.

The show and the book both imply that this devotion is the reason Childermass first sought employment from Mr. Norrell (played by Eddie Marsan, a perfect casting choice) 18 years ago—to put himself in close proximity to magic.

Childermass has proven himself invaluable to Norrell over the years, and Norrell has given him a long leash, even allowing him to read his books of magic (likely because he underestimates him), which he jealously guards from everyone else. Childermass stays loyal to Mr. Norrell, despite Norrell’s condescending attitude and increasingly questionable actions that cause harm to others. His loyalty isn’t spineless, however—Childermass continually expresses his unease with Norrell’s actions and tries to steer him right.

In Episode 3, Childermass is going about his business in Mr. Norrell’s house (while Norrell is on the way back from a visit with King George III), when he becomes disoriented and dizzy from the presence of powerful magic. He uses a spell to perceive where the magic is originating—outside, in the square—and he rushes out to find the source.

The source turns out to be Lady Pole, the woman who is now trapped in a tortuous fairy enchantment (which, unknown to Childermass, is thanks to Mr. Norrell). When Norrell exits his carriage, Lady Pole aims a pistol at his heart. Childermass throws himself in front of the pistol as the trigger is pulled, and he is shot in the chest. Bystanders carry the wounded Childermass into the house, and Norrell summons his doctors.

As he hovers between life and death, Childermass’s spirit is transported to the ravine where he will later encounter The Raven King. He wakes up on the moss-covered ground as the Raven King’s magic swirls around him, and he rises in awe. A raven bursts from the wound in his chest and flies off, filling his (and our) ears with the sound of beating wings. Then Childermass is back on the table in Mr. Norrell’s house, with the surgeon standing over him, holding the bullet he’s just extracted.

This event marks a moment of transformation for Childermass. From this point on, he begins to stand on his own, becoming more confident in his path. He dedicates himself to uncovering what Mr. Norrell has done with the fairy magic and working to undo the harm he’s caused, while at the same time seeking the return of The Raven King. Ultimately, he brings together all the magicians in England—not just the ones with a high social position and an acceptable point of view—to pursue a better future for all.

The story doesn’t end with rainbows and roses. There’s still social inequality, still racism, still suffering, still so much wrong. But the world is a little better because of Childermass—because he kept going, through years and years where it seemed like nothing was getting better.

And he didn’t do it with toxic positivity and a smile on his face. In fact, he smiles only once in the entire series (when Jonathan Strange invites him to become his full-fledged apprentice). Childermass persists in his mission without trying to change his sarcastic, storm-cloud self into a bright ray of sunshine. I love him for it. And his story has given me what I need to keep going.

I won’t give up or give in. And I hope you won’t either. I wish for you whatever you need to keep going. There are people who need us. Now, more than ever.

Photo by BBC One