The Blue Hour

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Becker is the protagonist of the novel, and significant sections of the plot are narrated from his point of view. Becker is a well-educated man in his thirties who seemingly has an ideal life: He has an interesting job as a curator (which allows him to focus on his passion for Vanessa Chapman’s art), and he is married to Helena, a woman he initially believed to be out of his reach. However, at the start of the novel, secret insecurities plague Becker. He compares his class background, social status, and lack of wealth to Helena and the Lennoxes. He also questions whether Helena is truly satisfied with their relationship and feels a sense of sexual rivalry with Sebastian, the man who is supposedly his best friend.

Becker is a dynamic character who changes and develops due to the time he spends with Grace Haswell and the insights he gains into Vanessa’s life. He feels more empowered as he learns more about Vanessa. He becomes more confident when he can envision himself as truly the world’s expert on Vanessa: He has access to information that no one else has encountered, and this gives him unique insights into her art.