B. Wordsworth

V. S. Naipaul

22 pages 44-minute read

V. S. Naipaul

B. Wordsworth

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1959

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The unnamed boy lives an unremarkable life with his single mother, largely kept in line by her strict rules. Because he lacks a father figure, his daily existence threatens to slip into mundane routine. He possesses a youthful curiosity that makes him uniquely receptive to observing the natural world, particularly when guided by an unconventional new friend.

Key Relationships

Friend of B. Wordsworth

Son of The Boy's Father

B. Wordsworth is an eccentric poet who travels around attempting to sell his work. He claims the 'B' stands for 'Black' and that he shares a spiritual kinship with nature. He lives alone in a house with a wildly overgrown garden, separating himself from the neat conformity of his neighborhood to fully appreciate the environment.

Key Relationships

Surrogate Father Figure to The Boy

Viewed with Suspicion by The Boy's Mother

Widower of Wordsworth's Wife

Brother of White Wordsworth

Supporting Characters

The boy's mother is a single parent managing the heavy workload of raising her son alone on Miguel Street. She handles her difficult situation by focusing on practical matters, ensuring her son's clothes stay clean, and cooking for the poor in her neighborhood. Her responsibilities leave her highly protective of her household and dismissive of poetic ideals.

Key Relationships

Mother of The Boy

Suspicious of B. Wordsworth

Former Partner of The Boy's Father

She is the deceased wife of the poet. According to the stories shared with the boy, she harbored a deep love for plants and flowers. Her early passing left a profound emotional void in her husband's life.

Key Relationships

He is the absent partner of the boy's mother. His lack of presence in the household forces the mother to raise their son entirely on her own, directly shaping the family's strict and practical dynamic.

Key Relationships

Father of The Boy

Former Partner of The Boy's Mother

White Wordsworth is the brother of the poet B. Wordsworth. He exists in the narrative primarily as a familial reference point when the poet explains the meaning behind the initial in his own name.

Key Relationships

Brother of B. Wordsworth