Burr: Analysis of Major Characters
"Burr: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the life and relationships of Aaron Burr, a significant figure in American history known for his roles as Revolutionary War officer, U.S. senator, vice president, and the notorious duelist who killed Alexander Hamilton. The narrative centers on Burr at seventy-seven, reflecting on his tumultuous life, including financial troubles and a contentious marriage to Eliza Bowen Jumel Burr, who is portrayed as rich and litigious. The text also explores Burr's daughter, Theodosia, who represents a tender side of his character and tragically disappears at sea.
Key figures in Burr's life, such as his law student Charlie Schuyler, provide context to the political landscape of the time, including Burr's complex interactions with prominent historical figures like Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Martin Van Buren. The text highlights Burr's relationships and the diverse perspectives of those around him, including critics and allies. It presents a nuanced view of Burr's character, suggesting he was misunderstood and portraying his memoirs as a defense of his legacy against historical misinterpretations. Overall, the analysis invites readers to consider the intricacies of Burr's life and the perceptions shaped by his actions and relationships.
Burr: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Gore Vidal
First published: 1973
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York City; Washington, D.C.; and the western states and territories
Plot: Historical
Time: 1833–1840; and Burr's memoirs, covering 1776–1807
Aaron Burr, a Revolutionary War officer, U.S. senator, investor, vice president of the United States under Thomas Jefferson, and killer of Alexander Hamilton in a duel. He was acquitted of charges of treason associated with trying to separate the western states from the Union. The Burr of the plot is seventy-seven years old at its opening. He marries a rich widow who spends the next four years, his last four, suing him. He enjoys life in spite of two strokes and continuing financial disasters, and he mildly enjoys his reputation as “the hellish Aaron Burr meant single-handedly to disband the United States.” Colonel Burr, as he is now called, is “an eighteenth-century man,” inspired by the words of Voltaire and the deeds of Napoleon I, who, after the trial, refused offers of his service. Burr studiously aided and indulged his young protégé, Schuyler, giving no hint of paternity and skillfully avoiding the furious politicking that sought to deny the election of 1836 to Martin Van Buren by associating him with Burr. The Burr of the memoirs displays a strategy for taking Quebec that was correct and ignored. Even his view of ambivalence on the Constitution was closer to Supreme Court decisions and amendments than Jefferson's position. Burr, in the memoirs, is never wrong. He could have been elected president in 1800 but chose honor over deals. Burr died without regret “that history, as usual, has got it all wrong.”
Eliza Bowen Jumel Burr, Burr's second wife. Wealthy and litigious, she hoards treasures and memoirs of a past both sordid and elegant; she claimed intimacy with Napoleon I.
Theodosia Burr Alston, Burr's daughter, named for her mother. A plump, dark girl, she was lost at sea. Eliza said that she was the only person whom Burr truly loved. Intelligent and well educated, she corresponded with Jeremy Bentham, whose economic principle of utility is discussed in the novel. She represents a noble side of Burr's character. She was, Burr told Charlie Schuyler, the cause of the duel.
Charles (Charlie) Schuyler, the narrator of the novel, twenty-five years old in 1833, Burr's law student and a writer for the Evening Post. Under the pen name “Old Patroon,” he achieves local fame. With blue eyes and yellow hair, he is, he writes, “the caricature of a Dutch lout.” He is paid to find proof that Burr is the real father of Van Buren and to write an anonymous pamphlet that will cause Van Buren to lose the election. Burr gives Charlie his memoirs and recollections and, in his way, his love. In 1840, as U.S. consul in Naples, Charlie learns that Burr was his father and is happy.
Helen Jewett, Schuyler's mistress. He wanted to marry her; she refused, miscarried their son, and returned to Mrs. Townsend's, where she was murdered. She was the sad note in Charlie's life.
Rosanna Townsend, formerly “one of the gayest,” who had known Burr, Hamilton, Eliza, and “everybody.” She ran the famous establishment at 41 Thomas Street where Charlie met Helen, and she tried to educate Charlie in “real life.”
William Legett, Schuyler's editor at the New York Evening Post. In his thirties, he seemed older as a result of the yellow fever contracted while he was in the navy. He was court-martialed for dueling. Out to destroy Mr. Biddle's bank, promote free trade, abolish slavery, and help workers' unions, he was helpful to Charlie, and Charlie was tolerant of his radicalism.
William Cullen Bryant, the editor of the Evening Post, in his forties. He has carved lips and full face whiskers. His New England manner disguised whatever pleasure he found as “America's First Poet.”
William de la Touche Clancy, who edited the magazine America. He is an unreconstructed Tory and represents the diversity of the New York press.
Thomas Skidmore, an egalitarian machinist who made the embarrassing point that “until we give each man his due, there is no society but a tyranny of the rich.” Many sought their “due” in the West, as Burr foresaw.
Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States. Charlie saw a physical and psychological resemblance to Burr. Taciturn to a fault, Van Buren was a key player with Jackson in the stand against the “Virginia Junto” and the South led by Henry Clay. His election is the focus of the novel.
Andrew Jackson, a U.S. general and seventh president of the United States. He supported Burr in his Western adventure in 1806, dining him royally at the Hermitage in Nashville. In the novel, the question is whether Jackson will live until Van Buren's election.
George Washington, the first president of the United States. In his memoirs, Burr finds his commanding officer during the American Revolution inept in war but unsurpassed in courting junior officers and Congress, a headquarters general who made an appropriate “god” for the new Republic.
Thomas Jefferson, the secretary of state under Washington and third president of the United States. Burr referred to him as “my sovereign.” He, not Hamilton, is the villain of the memoirs. As presented by Burr, he is an opportunist who slandered as a monarchist anyone who stood in his way. Of brilliant mind, he was more imperialistic than Burr (or Napoleon, whose empire slipped away) and ordered Burr tried for treason so that he could retain complete command of the country. He and Burr argued about the Constitution, with Jefferson insisting on its perfection and Burr ambivalent.
Alexander Hamilton, Washington's aide and the first secretary of the Treasury. As young officers, Hamilton and Burr recognized each other as equals in ambition. Burr regretted killing him because his fortunes were in decline and only death could have made him famous.
James Wilkinson, the commanding general in the western territories. In 1805 he was fat, soft, vain, overuniformed, and in Spanish pay. He urged Burr to lead the West in war against Spain. Later, to save his skin, he became the chief witness against Burr.
John Marshall, the chief justice of the United States who presided over Burr's treason trial. Always suspicious of his cousin Tom, Marshall prevented Jefferson from using the trial to weaken the judiciary.
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Burr referred to him as the only true Republican.
Washington Irving, a famous American writer, described as elderly in 1833 though only fifty years old. He was stout and shy, and he favored the Dutch and Van Buren. He was sure that Van Buren could not be Burr's son.