Characterisation of the narrator
The main character of the story “Dead as They Come” by Ian McEwan is also its narrator. His characterisation is constructed both directly (self-characterisation) and indirectly (through actions, attitudes, thoughts). He is a developing, unreliable character as he changes from a man who is attracted by a window mannequin to someone who develops a sick sexual love for the dummy and finally into a madman.
Outer characterisation
From his outer characterisation we find out that he is a 44-year-old rich business man who has been married three times before:
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Inner characterisation
His inner characterisation is quite complex, as the man is psychologically disturbed. He describes himself as “a man in a hurry” (p. 71, l. 10, p. 72, l. 16) and admits dreading emotional involvement and the complications of relationships:
I have no time to stay with a woman, listen to her story, know her soul, grow dependent and sluggish. I have no time for the analysis, the self-searching of frenzied relationships, the unspoken accusation, the silent de fence. I do not wish to be with women who have an urge to talk when we've finished our coupling. I want to lie still in peace and clarity. Then I want to put my shoes and socks on and comb my hair and go about my business. (p. 72, ll. 18-24)
Still, he gradually develops an obsessive passion for a window dummy from a fashion store. He describes himself as being in love with the dummy and begins to see her a living woman, even giving her a name, Helen:
Once I was a man hurrying by a shop window and glancing carelessly in. Then I was a man in love with . . . simply, I was a man in love. It happened over many months. I began to linger by the window. (p. 72, ll. 38-40)
Although we already begin to perceive the narrator as crazy, he still shows some reason in his madness. He is aware that his passion and behaviour are not going to be perceived as normal so he concocts a plan to buy the dummy without raising suspicions by pretending he is buying clothes for his wife: "I wanted the dummy (ah my Helen) on which these clothes were displayed in order to show off the clothes to their best advantage." (p. 74, ll. 7-9)
As the story progresses, we grow more acquainted with the expanse of the narrator’s madness. After he acquires the dummy he begins treating it like his lover, engaging in sexual intercourse with it, buying it expensive clothes, cooking it dinner, talking to it, etc.
He also feels frustration with his sexual performance:
She demanded the orgasm I could not give her, she would not let me go, she would not permit me to rest. On and on through the night, she forever teetering on the edge of that cliff, release in that most gentle death . . . but nothing I did, and I did everything, I gave everything, could bring her to it. (p. 75, ll. 25-29)
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