Amsterdam

Clive is one of the novel’s protagonists. He is a celebrated composer whose commitment to art precipitates his moral disintegration. Commissioned to write the Millennial Symphony, Clive operates under the belief that his high calling exempts him from common ethical obligations. This self-serving philosophy emerges early in the novel and is most starkly illustrated during his walking holiday in the Lake District. When he witnesses a man attacking a woman, Clive makes a conscious decision to walk away, prioritizing the fragile musical inspiration he has just found for his symphony. He rationalizes his inaction by framing it as a choice between protecting a “pivotal moment in his career” (95) and interfering in the lives of strangers. His art becomes a shield for his cowardice, demonstrating how easily he abandons human decency when it conflicts with his professional ambition. His belief that he is a “genius” is the cornerstone of his identity, and this self-conception justifies any transgression in the service of his work.

Clive’s character is defined by a profound hypocrisy that mirrors Vernon’s, making them effective foils. He is quick to condemn Vernon’s plan to publish the Garmony photographs, arguing from a position of moral superiority that his friend is “betraying” Molly’s memory.