Character guide

Eugene Gant

major

Also known as Mr. Gant, Gant, Old man Gant, VIII Eugene, Gene, Mister Eugene Gant, Eugene Gant

The protagonist and youngest son of the Gant family, a sensitive and intellectual boy growing up in Altamont.

Eliza Gant

major

Also known as Miss Eliza, Eliza, Mrs. Gant, Mrs. Eliza Gant, Eliza E. Gant, Mrs. Eliza E. Gant, Elizabeth, Miss Elizabeth Scragg

Eugene's ambitious and shrewd mother, who runs a boarding house and is obsessed with property.

Ben Gant

major

Also known as Benjamin Harrison, Ben, Harry, Sometimes Ben, Sideways Ben, Benjamin Gant, Good old Ben, B - B - B - Ben

Eugene's older brother, a moody and sensitive newspaperman who is closest to Eugene.

Helen Gant

supporting

Also known as Queen Helen, Helen, Helen Pendergast, O Helen, Dark Helen

Eugene's older sister, a lively and dramatic woman who marries Hugh Barton.

Oliver Gant

major

Also known as Oliver, II Oliver, Oliver Gant, Gant

Eugene's father, a passionate stonecutter and alcoholic whose health declines.

Luke Gant

supporting

Also known as Luke, V Luke, Bighearted Unselfish Luke, Old Luke, Luke Gant

Eugene's older brother, a good-natured but somewhat simple salesman.

Steve Gant

minor

Also known as Steve, Steve descending, Little Stevie, Stevie, Stephen, Brother Steve

Eugene's eldest brother, a troubled and often absent figure.

Margaret Leonard

supporting

Also known as Margaret Leonard, Leonard, Margaret

A kind and intellectual teacher who mentors Eugene at the Altamont school.

John Dorsey Leonard

supporting

Also known as John Dorsey Leonard, John Dorsey, Leonard, old man Leonard, John, Mr. Leonard

Margaret's husband and the stern principal of the school Eugene attends.

Dr. Hugh McGuire

supporting

Also known as Dr. McGuire, Dr. Hugh McGuire, McGuire, Hugh, Hugh McGuire, Doctor McGuire

The Gant family doctor, a blunt and cynical man.

Dr. J. H. Coker

minor

Also known as Coker, Dr. J. H. Coker, Doctor Coker

A local doctor and friend of the Gant family, known for his gruff manner.

Horse Hines

minor

Also known as Horse Hines, Horse, Horse " Hines, Hines

A colorful local character and undertaker in Altamont.

Laura James

supporting

Also known as Laura James, Laura, my beautiful Laura, Poor old Laura, Jim

A young woman with whom Eugene has a romantic relationship.

Jim Trivett

minor

Also known as Jim, Jim Trivett, old man Trivett

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Will Pentland

supporting

Also known as Will, Will Pentland, Thomas Pentland, Major Pentland, Major Thomas Pentland, old Tom Pentland, Tom Pentland, Major Tom Pentland, Thomas

Eliza's brother, a successful and domineering businessman.

Max Isaacs

minor

Also known as Max Isaacs, Max, Isaacs

A Jewish businessman and friend of the Gant family.

Daisy

minor

Also known as Daisy, May Corpening

A young woman who works for Eliza and has a brief romance with Ben.

Irene Mallard

minor

Also known as Miss Irene Mallard, Irene Mallard, Irene

A young woman who boards at Eliza's and attracts Eugene's attention.

Bruce Glendenning

minor

Also known as Glendenning, Bruce, Bruce Glendenning

A friend of Eugene's from his time at the university.

Hugh Barton

supporting

Also known as Barton, Mr. Hugh T. Barton, Mr. Hugh Barton, Hugh, Hugh Barton, Mr. Barton

Helen's husband, a practical and steady man.

Jennings Ware

minor

Also known as Jennings Ware

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Bessie Gant

minor

Also known as Gant, Bessie Gant

Oliver's sister, who visits the family.

Bob Sterling

minor

Also known as Bob Sterling, Bob

A friend of Eugene's from his university days.

Pearl Hines

minor

Also known as Pearl Hines, Pearl, Hines

Horse Hines's daughter, a beautiful young woman.

Dick Ravenel

minor

Also known as Dick Ravenel, Dick, Ravenel, Dr. Ravenel

A local doctor and friend of the family.

Harold Gay

minor

Also known as Harold Gay, Harold

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Guy Doak

minor

Also known as Guy Doak, Doak, Guy

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Simon

minor

Also known as Simon

A black servant who works for the Gant family.

Jeff Spaugh

minor

Also known as young Dr. Jefferson Spaugh, Spaugh, Jeff Spaugh, Dr. Jefferson Reginald Alfonso Spaugh

A young doctor in Altamont.

Tom Davis

minor

Also known as Tom Davis, Tom

A friend of Ben's and fellow newspaperman.

George B. Rockham

minor

Also known as George B. Rockham, Dr. George B. Rockham, Dr. George B., Dr. George Rockham

A doctor and friend of the family.

Margaret Lutz

minor

Also known as Margaret Lutz, Margaret

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Mike Creech

minor

Also known as Mr. Michael Walter Creech, Mr. Creech, old Walter Creech, Mike

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Jack Eaton

minor

Also known as Jack Eaton, Eaton, Jack

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Lily Jones

minor

Also known as Lily Jones, Lily

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Greeley Pentland

minor

Also known as Greeley, Greeley Pentland

A member of the Pentland family.

Sister Sheba

minor

Also known as Sister Sheba, Sheba

A religious woman who boards at Eliza's.

Tom French

minor

Also known as Tom French, rugged old Thomas, French, Tom, the French

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Cynthia

minor

Also known as Cynthia

A young woman who catches Eugene's eye.

Florry Mangle

minor

Also known as Miss Florry Mangle, Florry

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Virgil Weldon

minor

Also known as Virgil, Vergil Weldon, Weldon

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Malvin Bowden

minor

Also known as Malvin Bowden, Malvin

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Harry Tarkinton

minor

Also known as Harry Tarkinton, Harry, Tarkinton

A local man and friend of the family.

Mary Thomas

minor

Also known as Mary Thomas, Mary

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Jake Clapp

minor

Also known as Jay, Mr. Jake Clapp, Jake, Jake Clapp

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Joe Gambell

minor

Also known as Joe Gambell, Joe

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Annie Patton

minor

Also known as Miss Annie Patton, Annie, outraged Annie

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Van Yeats

minor

Also known as stolid Van Yeats, Van Yeats, Van

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Bessie Barnes

minor

Also known as Bessie Barnes, Bessie

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Tom Cline

minor

Also known as Tom Cline, Tom

A friend of Ben's.

Sister Theresa

minor

Also known as Sister Theresa, Theresa

A nun who boards at Eliza's.

Sinker Jordan

minor

Also known as Sinker Jordan, Sinker

A local character and friend of the Gant family.

Jim Bowles

minor

Also known as Jim Bowles

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Ella Corpening

minor

Also known as Ella Corpening

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Doc Hines

minor

Also known as Doc " Hines, Doc Hines

A local doctor and relative of Horse Hines.

Otto Krause

minor

Also known as Otto Krause, Otto

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Moses Andrews

minor

Also known as Moses Andrews, Moses

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Sandy Duncan

minor

Also known as Sandy, Alexander, Sandy Duncan, Duncan, Ford, Al

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Leslie Roberts

minor

Also known as Leslie, Patrolman Leslie Roberts, Les

A local policeman.

Ralph Rolls

minor

Also known as Rafe, Ralph Rolls

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Tyson Smathers

minor

Also known as Tyson Smathers, Tyson

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Jimmy Dean

minor

Also known as Jimmy Dean, Jim

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Edward Michalove

minor

Also known as Edward Michalove, Edward

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Roy Duncan

minor

Also known as Roy Duncan, grinning Roy, Duncan

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Richard Gorman

minor

Also known as Mr. Richard Gorman, Mr. Gorman, Richard Gorman, Richard

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Ralph Hendrix

minor

Also known as Ralph Hendrix

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Jim Lyda

minor

Also known as Jim Lyda, Jim

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Joe Zamschnick

minor

Also known as Joe Zamschnick, Joseph

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

John Smallwood

minor

Also known as the Reverend John Smallwood, John Smallwood, the Reverend Smallwood

A local reverend.

Laura Ray

minor

Also known as Miss Ray, Laura, Miss Laura Ray

A young woman who boards at Eliza's.

Jim Pollock

minor

Also known as Jim Pollock

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Bacchus Pentland

minor

Also known as Bacchus Pentland, Bacchus, Uncle Bacchus

A member of the Pentland family, known for his drinking.

Jimmy Hendrix

minor

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Pudge Carr

minor

Also known as Pudge Carr, Pudge

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Brady Chalmers

minor

Also known as Brady Chalmers, Brady

A friend of Eugene's from the university.

Paul Goodson

minor

Also known as Mr. Paul Goodson, Paul

A local man and friend of the Gant family.

Louis Rosalsky

minor

Also known as Mr. Louis Rosalsky, Mr. Rosalsky

A local businessman.