Joshua Then and Now 1985

Joshua's father, a boxer who turned to gentler crime, his worldview blends practical pragmatism with provocative ideas about life, sex, and religion. He leaves a lasting imprint on Joshua's feelings about power, morality, and resilience. Reuben's contradictions become a lens through which Joshua judges his own choices.

An upper-class Canadian figure described as married to a poseur of a communist, she represents the social prize Joshua seeks. Her position within elite circles makes her a pivotal element in Joshua's ascent, and their relationship exposes tensions between authenticity and social performance. She embodies the allure—and the peril—of status.

A conceited brother-in-law whose insecurity drives vulnerability and a surprising role in the plot. He embodies the fragile ego that accompanies social pretensions and the push-pull of family approval versus personal ambition. His actions ripple through Joshua's attempts to navigate a complicated social world.

A childhood friend whose path intersects with Joshua's later life, becoming part of the neighborhood fabric. The narrative uses their relationship to explore how past connections influence present choices and temptations. Teddy's arc highlights the pull of old loyalties amid new ambitions.

A member of Joshua's circle described through his memories and social world, representing the people affected by his actions and the era's expectations. Susy's presence helps map the emotional landscape of Joshua's relationships and the consequences of his self-fashioning. Her character reflects the personal costs of ambition and memory.

Another figure from Joshua's circle, whose life intersects with the urban-rural mix of his world. Alex's story contributes to the broader tapestry of friendships and rivalries that shape Joshua's moral choices. He helps illustrate the social networks behind Joshua's ascent and its fallout.

A character connected to the spheres of power and prestige, mentioned as part of the elite milieu. Joanna's presence illuminates the mechanisms of social entry and the compromises that accompany relationships within affluent circles. She embodies the era's cross-currents between desire, status, and propriety.

A figure in Joshua's social orbit whose actions and opinions reflect the moral ambiguities of the circles he moves in. Seymour adds another layer to the ensemble's satire of social pretensions and the costs of deceit. His presence underscores the theme of complicity within a web of appearances.

A character within the social tapestry who interacts with Joshua's world of ambition and romance. Pauline helps populate the orbit of influence around the senator’s circle and the attempts to bridge different social classes. Her role underscores the era's blending of personal desire with public image.

A figure in the broader cast whose presence supports the exploration of Joshua's career and social maneuvering. Eli's interactions offer a view into the professional side of Joshua's life and the compromises that come with ambition. He contributes to the mosaic of relationships that shape the narrative.

A neighbor in the cottage-community setting who embodies the social fabric around Lake Memphremagog. Her interactions contribute to the depiction of a community where appearances and gossip influence choices. She helps frame the environment in which Joshua's past actions ripple outward.

Another neighbor whose presence adds to the texture of the affluent lakeside milieu. His role participates in the broader portrayal of a tight-knit, status-conscious circle. He represents the steady, outwardly respectable surface of the community Joshua engages with.