Characters
The most important characters in the short story “The Rule of Names” by Ursula K. Le Guin are Mr. Underhill, Blackbeard, and Birt.
Mr. Underhill (Yevaud)
Mr. Underhill is the protagonist of the story. However, he is not the hero, as he is also a villain (a violent dragon and a thief). The name Underhill is given to him by the villagers of Sattins because he leaves under a hill, and functions as a foreshadowing element, a hint regarding his true nature. Mr. Underhill is, in fact, a dragon named Yevaud. Consequently, his outer characterization is influenced by these two shapes.
Outer characterization
Initially, he is described as Mr. Underhill, a fat, unskilled village wizard: “He was all the little island had in the way of a wizard, and so deserved respect-but how could you respect a little fat man of fifty who waddled along with his toes turned in, breathing steam and smiling?” (p. 67, ll. 22-25)
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Inner characterization
The character’s inner characterization also differs according to the shape he assumes.
Mr. Underhill is presented as a polite man, who tries to help the villagers as a wizard, but who usually fails. The villagers care about him, but they also mock him for his looks and his incompetence: “All of them spoke to him, some with affection, some with affectionate disdain. (…) He was no great shakes as a workman either. His fireworks were fairly elaborate but his elixirs were weak. Warts he charmed off frequently reappeared…” (p. 67, ll. 21-27)
He also seems to be treated well by the villagers who invite him to dinners. However, Mr. Underhill prefers to be a private man; he does not like people visiting him and his house which suggests that he has a secret: “He did not like anyone to visit his cave, not even the anteroom, beyond which in fact nobody had ever got.” (p. 67, ll. 39-40)
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Blackbeard
Blackbeard functions as the antagonist in the short story. His true name is not revealed, but his nickname is a foreshadowing element announcing that he is a wizard who uses black magic.
Outer characterization
His outer characterization initially presents him as a handsome sea-peddlar: “They were disappointed, for the voyager was quite young, a handsome black-bearded fellow who hailed...
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Inner characterization
Blackbeard’s inner characterization presents him as cunning (deceitful), arrogant, and greedy. He is cunning because he does not reveal to the villagers the true purpose of his visit and he subtly encourages the villagers to tell him more about Mr. Underhill:
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Birt
Birt is a secondary character in the short story, and he fulfills the role of the novice, the inexperienced young man. His outer characterization presents him as the nephew of Goody Guld, who works as a fisherman: “Birt was a fisherman, a large, brave, wordless young man.” (p. 70, ll. 40-41).
Inner characterization
His inner characterization presents him as secretly in love with Palani, but too shy and clumsy to declare his love: “He loved the schoolmistress, but the nearest he had come to telling her of his love was to give baskets of fresh mackerel to her father's cook.” (pp. 70-71, ll. 41-2)
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