George Lockhart

Outer characterisation

George is the main character of “A Good Night’s Sleep” by Brian McCabe. He is divorced and has a child, and he is a smoker (p. 151, l. 15). George works as a teacher of Communication and General Studies and has a class about the Problems of Modern Society which he teaches to first year students in the morning (p. 147, ll. 26-29).

He is wearing a dressing gown (p. 149, l. 7) and is at first barefoot (p. 149, l. 8) but later puts on socks (p. 151, p. 24).

Inner characterisation

George Lockhart is an insomniac. Most of his time is centred on the attempt to fall asleep. He is kept awake by the noise on the streets and the noise made by his neighbours. George is also kept awake by memories, such as remembering his student days (p. 146, ll. 22-23). He feels extremely frustrated with his insomnia, sighing a “sleepless curse” (p. 146, l. 7) and punching his pillow (p. 148, l. 10).

George also feels lonely, since he has not been intimate with anyone for months (p. 148, ll. 7-8). His specially-designed bed is a single bed (p. 148, ll. 11-21), which makes it even harder for him to be intimate with someone.

George’s interaction with the young woman...