The Pit · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Pit by Frank Norris.
Laura Dearborn
major
Also known as Laura, Dearborn, the Laura Dearborn
A central character, initially Laura Dearborn, who becomes Laura Jadwin after marriage.
Laura Jadwin
major
Also known as Jadwin, Continually Jadwin, the Laura Jadwin, the other Laura Jadwin, Still Laura
Laura after marrying Curtis Jadwin, navigating her role as a wealthy wife.
Curtis Jadwin
major
Also known as Mr. Jadwin, Jadwin, this Jadwin, the capitalist Jadwin, Curtis, Often Jadwin, Mr. Curtis Jadwin
A powerful wheat speculator who becomes obsessed with cornering the market.
Landry Court
supporting
Also known as Landry, That Landry Court, Court, Meanwhile Landry, Poor little Landry Court, But Landry, young Court
A young broker in love with Laura, later a friend of the Jadwins.
Page Dearborn
supporting
Also known as Page, Miss Page, Sometimes Page
Laura's younger sister, lively and social.
Samuel Gretry
supporting
Also known as Sam, Gretry, Samuel, Sam Gretry
A businessman and friend of Jadwin, part of the Gretry-Converse firm.
Mrs. Cressler
supporting
Also known as Cressler, the Cressler, Carrie, Poor Mrs. Cressler
Wife of Mr. Cressler, a social figure in the Jadwins' circle.
Sheldon Corthell
supporting
Also known as Mr. Corthell, Corthell, that Mr. Corthell, the old Corthell, Sheldon
An artist and intellectual who becomes close to Laura.
Aunt Wess
minor
Also known as Aunt Wess
An elderly relative of the Dearborns, living with them.
Mr. Cressler
supporting
Also known as Cressler
A businessman and friend of Jadwin, later involved in financial troubles.
C. H. Crookes
minor
Also known as Crookes, Ah Crookes, Calvin Hardy Crookes
A wheat trader and associate of Jadwin in the Pit.
Hargus
minor
Also known as poor old Hargus, Mr. Hargus, old Hargus
An old wheat trader, often seen in the Pit.
Charles Cressler
minor
Also known as Charlie, Charlie Cressler, Cressler, old Charlie
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Cressler, a young man about town.
Monsieur Gerardy
minor
Also known as Gerardy
A Frenchman and associate in the wheat trade.
Dave Scannel
minor
Also known as Scannel, Mr. Scannel, Mr. David Scannel
A rough, experienced wheat trader in the Pit.
Mrs. Jadwin
minor
Also known as Jadwin
Curtis Jadwin's mother, a minor family figure.
Billy Freye
minor
Also known as Freye, Billy
A young man in the trading crowd, a friend of Landry.
Mrs. Emily Wessels
minor
Also known as Mrs. Wessels
A social acquaintance of the Jadwins.
Isabel Gretry
minor
Also known as Gretry, Isabel
Daughter of Samuel Gretry, a young woman in society.
Little Sweeny
minor
Also known as Sweeny
A minor character in the trading pit.
Hirsch
minor
Also known as Hirsch
A wheat trader in the Pit.
Grossmann
minor
Also known as the insignificant Grossmann, Grossmann, the little Jew Grossmann
A Jewish wheat trader, often an obstacle to Jadwin.
Annie
minor
Also known as Annie
A servant in the Dearborn household.
Cressler Jadwin
minor
Also known as Jadwin, Cressler
A relative of Curtis Jadwin, possibly a cousin.
Winston
minor
Also known as the stolid Winston
A servant or employee in the Jadwin household.
Rusbridge
minor
Also known as Rusbridge
A wheat trader in the Pit.
Leaycraft
minor
Also known as The redoubtable Leaycraft
A formidable wheat trader in the Pit.
Marion
minor
Also known as the unfortunate Marion
A woman mentioned in passing, possibly a tragic figure.
Honey
minor
Also known as Honey
A minor character, possibly a servant or child.
Semple
minor
Also known as Barry Semple
A wheat trader in the Pit.
Billy Paterson
minor
Also known as Paterson, Billy
A young man in the trading crowd.
Mrs. Gretry
minor
Also known as Gretry
Wife of Samuel Gretry, a social figure.
Carrie
minor
Also known as Carrie
A servant or minor character in the household.
Mr. Helmick
minor
Also known as the Helmick, Helmick
A wheat trader in the Pit.
Mr. Court
minor
Also known as Mr. Court
Landry Court's father, mentioned briefly.
MacKenny
minor
Also known as the grey MacKenny
An older wheat trader in the Pit.
Kelly
minor
Also known as Kelly yonder
A minor character in the trading pit.
Henry
minor
Also known as Henry
A servant or minor character.
J.
minor
Also known as J.
A minor character, possibly a trader or acquaintance.
Abner
minor
Also known as Abner
A minor character, possibly a servant.
Captain
minor
Also known as Captain
A minor character, possibly a ship captain or military man.
Matthew
minor
Also known as Matthew
A minor character, possibly a servant.
Arthur
minor
Also known as Arthur
A minor character, possibly a friend of the family.
Jarvis
minor
Also known as Jarvis
A minor character, possibly a servant.
