An American Tragedy characters

Appears from the start

The adolescent son of poor street missionaries, embarrassed by his family's public preaching and hungry for money, status, and romantic experience. He has little education or discipline and tends to let immediate desire outweigh responsibility.

Appears from the start

Clyde's father, an earnest but ineffective religious missionary who leads his family in services on the streets. His faith gives him purpose but does little to relieve the family's poverty or prepare Clyde for the world he desires.

Also known as Mrs. Griffiths

Appears from the start

Clyde's mother, a devoted street missionary with a stronger practical sense than her husband. She recognizes some of her children's distress and repeatedly tries to help them despite having almost no money or social power.

Appears from the start

Clyde's older sister, whose absence from the family's mission reveals how urgently she wanted an independent life. Her difficulties show Clyde the risks of seeking freedom without money or support.

Also known as Ratterer

First appears in chapter 6

One of the experienced bellboys Clyde meets at the Green-Davidson Hotel. He introduces Clyde to the spending, drinking, and sexual adventures available to young men whose tips suddenly give them money.

First appears in chapter 7

A pretty, acquisitive Kansas City shopgirl who enjoys Clyde's attention but measures men by the entertainment and gifts they can provide. Clyde's pursuit of her sharpens his habit of confusing possession with love.

First appears in chapter 19

Clyde's wealthy uncle, owner of a collar factory in Lycurgus, New York. After a chance meeting he offers Clyde modest work, extending family assistance without initially admitting him to the household's social standing.

First appears in chapter 21

Samuel Griffiths's son and a manager in the family factory. Suspicious of his poorly prepared cousin, he treats Clyde as a possible embarrassment and keeps a close watch on his work and conduct.

First appears in chapter 27

A quiet young factory worker from a poor farming family who comes under Clyde's supervision. Respectable and lonely in Lycurgus, she is attracted to his attention despite the company rule against relationships between supervisors and their employees.

First appears in chapter 36

A wealthy, socially confident young woman in the Lycurgus circle Clyde longs to enter. Amused by his resemblance to the richer Griffiths family and attracted to his attentiveness, she begins including him in a life of parties, travel, and privilege.

First appears in chapter 67

The district attorney responsible for investigating Roberta's death. Politically ambitious and quickly suspicious that the drowning was planned, he directs an aggressive search for physical and documentary evidence.

First appears in chapter 80

One of Clyde's court-appointed defense lawyers, younger and more inventive than his colleague Belknap. He studies the weaknesses in Clyde's account and searches for a defense that can answer the evidence of preparation.