Billy Bathgate: Analysis of Major Characters
"Billy Bathgate" presents a gripping narrative centered around a young boy from the Bronx who becomes entangled with the infamous gangster Dutch Schultz. The story follows fifteen-year-old Billy as he navigates life on the fringes of Schultz's criminal organization, initially serving as a gofer and busboy before becoming more deeply involved. As he forms connections with notable characters, including the volatile Schultz, the glamorous henchman Bo Weinberg, and the calculating Otto "Abbadabba" Berman, Billy finds himself caught between the allure of gang life and the violence that accompanies it.
Notably, Schultz is depicted as a declining figure in the criminal underworld, grappling with increasing pressure from rivals and law enforcement, which exacerbates his volatility. Characters such as Drew Preston, a socialite caught in a dangerous love triangle, and loyal enforcers like Lulu Rosenkrantz, further illustrate the complexities of loyalty and betrayal in this brutal environment. The narrative also explores Billy's challenging relationship with his mentally unstable mother, Mary Behan, and his friendship with Arnold Garbage, who serves as a confidant. As the plot unfolds, Billy's survival hinges on his intelligence and ability to navigate the treacherous dynamics of gang life, ultimately leading to his emergence as a successful member of society against the backdrop of violent and turbulent events.
Billy Bathgate: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: E. L. Doctorow
First published: 1989
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York City, Onondoga, and Saratoga, New York
Plot: Historical realism
Time: the 1930's
Billy Bathgate, a fifteen-year-old boy from the Bronx who attracts the attention of gangster Dutch Schultz as he juggles outside Schultz's warehouse. A quick-witted, clever young man, he makes himself useful enough to secure a place on the fringes of the gang, running errands for Dutch, working as a busboy at his club, and eventually accompanying him on his odyssey to the country in preparation for his tax evasion trial. Billy, who never knew his father and whose mother teeters on the edge of sanity, discovers in Dutch's gang a surrogate family that both attracts and repulses him. A brave young man with a gift for pleasing adults, he senses that his association with the gang makes him part of history, but also that it places his life in jeopardy. He joins Dutch as the renowned gangster is losing his grip on his dominion, pursued by both the government and rival gangs. As Billy becomes a more integral part of the gang, he witnesses the horrific death of Schultz's lieutenant Bo Weinberg, the casually brutal murder of a window washer, and the slaughter of a hapless fire inspector who arrives at an inopportune moment. He realizes that he knows too much for his own safety. Through use of his own intelligence, he manages not only to be the only member to survive when the gang is wiped out by rivals but also to locate the gang's hidden fortune and emerge years later as a prominent and successful member of society.
Dutch Schultz, born Arthur Flegonheimer, a renowned gangster no longer at the height of his powers. In his thirties, the short-necked, solid Schultz always appears badly dressed, even in expensive clothes. the head of a complex operation with a large payroll, he surrounds himself with admirers and dependents, always feeling like the wronged party, the victim of a double-cross. As his empire begins to decline, besieged both by rival gangs and by the government, Dutch becomes more volatile. His temper flares easily, and he murders increasingly out of rage rather than as a “business” decision. Dutch's life of crime finally catches up with him when he and his closest associates are gunned down by a rival gang.
Bo Weinberg, Schultz's handsome, well-dressed, glamorous chief henchman, who is proud of his ability to make a “clean kill.” Weinberg's betrayal of Schultz results in his own gruesome death when Dutch buries his feet in concrete and pushes him overboard, in the fabled gangster tradition.
Drew Preston, Bo Weinberg's “moll,” a beautiful, spoiled Park Avenue socialite who is not much older than Billy. Drew's marriage to a wealthy man allows her the freedom to “socialize” with known gangsters while he picks up young men. In self-preservation, she shifts her allegiance to Schultz after having the misfortune to witness his murder of Weinberg. Dutch is infatuated with her for a time, but when he appoints Billy to keep her company, the young man falls in love with her as well. the two have a brief affair before Billy recruits her husband to rescue her from Dutch's revenge.
Otto “Abbadabba” Berman, the brains of Schultz's operation. He controls the flow of money and the numbers racket while simultaneously attempting to control the increasingly erratic Schultz. A humpback with glasses, soft-spoken and well dressed, he takes Billy under his wing to share with him his passion for numbers.
Lulu Rosenkrantz, one of Dutch's chief henchmen. Lulu has an oversized head of unkempt hair, a broken nose, and a pockmarked face. He remains loyal to Dutch despite his increasingly erratic behavior.
Mary Behan, Billy's mother, a tall, majestic woman with long gray hair who has reared Billy on her own. She wavers in and out of sanity, caring nothing for her own appearance or for making friends but managing to keep her job in a laundry.
Arnold Garbage, Billy's junk-collecting friend from the neighborhood orphanage. Arnold stashes the spoils of Schultz's empire in his junk-strewn basement until Billy feels safe spending it.