Edwars is the male protagonist of the novel; he belongs to the middle class, his father is a teacher while his mother doesn't work, he has got two sisters.

In the novel Edward shows some qualities: he's very patient, he never looses control with his wife, Florence and in front of  problems he behaves as if the problem does not exist, he  never tries to speak about it, he never tries to solve it.

This behaviour may found an answer in Edward's past, in his family's problems, in his choices.

For example Edward's mother was brain-damaged but nobody spoke about this problem since he was fourteen  and before, even if they know that something was wrong they behave as if their mother were strange like an artist, they live as the problem does not exist.

This approach to problems characterized also his relationship with Florence, he's always very patient, very condescending, he's never angry with her, in addition even if he know there's something wrong in their relationship he never talks about it.