The Corrections: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Corrections" is a novel by Jonathan Franzen that delves into the complexities of the Lambert family, exploring their individual struggles and relationships. The patriarch, Alfred Lambert, is depicted as an overbearing figure whose mental health is deteriorating due to Parkinson's disease, causing tension within the family. Enid Lambert, his wife, is characterized by her desperate need for familial unity and validation, often seen as nagging by her children, while coping with her husband's emotional coldness.
The Lambert siblings each face their own challenges: Chip, the younger son, is an insecure academic whose questionable choices lead him to ethical dilemmas, while Gary, the elder son, is consumed by his mental health and career anxieties, leading to conflict with his wife, Caroline. Denise, the only daughter, is portrayed as ambitious and competitive, navigating complex romantic relationships that reflect her struggles for both professional success and personal fulfillment.
Supporting characters, such as Jonah, Caroline, and various romantic interests, further illustrate the nuanced dynamics within the Lambert family. Through these character analyses, the novel provides a poignant examination of modern American life, family dysfunction, and individual aspirations.
The Corrections: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Jonathan Franzen
First published: 2001
Genre: Novel
Locale: The fictional midwestern town of St. Jude; New York City; Philadelphia; Lithuania
Plot: Narrative
Time: Late 1990s
Alfred Lambert, the patriarch of the Lambert family. Before retirement, his career as a railroad engineer provided him with much fulfillment. He is overbearing with his family and emotionally abusive to his wife, to whom he has been stern and unaffectionate for years. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his mental stability is deteriorating. He is often swept up in visual hallucinations and has moments of dementia. He is attached to his well-worn armchair and spends the majority of his time in the basement sitting in it. Though he is unsenti-mental, he spends a great deal of time dwelling on the past. Once a dedicated hard worker, he starts projects without finishing them. His paranoia about his wife and what she does with her time is a source of great stress for him. His anxiety often manifests in anger when interacting with his family.
Enid Lambert, the mother of the Lambert family. The questionable lifestyles of her three children are a source of great worry for her. She often calls them and offers her opinions about their life choices in a way that her children register as nagging. In light of her husband's coldness, she craves attention from her children. It is important to her that they are all together for the Christmas holiday, and she goes to great lengths to ensure that happens. She feels that she should be rewarded for the decades of her hard work as a wife and mother. She regulates her moods largely with pharmaceuticals and relies heavily on her doctor's opinion. She is exasperated by her husband, and his death is a relief to her.
Chip Lambert, the younger son of the Lambert family. Though he is sharp witted and intellectual, he was fired from his college-level teaching position after an affair with one of his students. He is portrayed as insecure and disheveled. He is extremely self-centered, and his family is not a priority for him. He has an irrepressible lust for attractive women and feels compelled to flirt with them regardless of the situation. The job insecurity he faces is a source of great stress for him. After banking on the success of a screenplay, which does not pan out, he takes a very questionable position in Lithuania that involves defrauding American investors. It is only when this fails that he returns to spend Christmas with the Lamberts.
Gary Lambert, the elder son of the Lambert Family. He is high strung when it comes to his mental health and meticulously tracks his brain activity to ensure that he is not clinically depressed. He manages to maintain a heavy drinking habit with a banking career. He watches his investments in Axon Corporation obsessively and believes himself to have deep insight into the markets. He believes that his father stands as an example for him of what not to be, and despite staunchly defending his mother, he is not entirely respectful of her when they interact. He has fallen out of love with his wife, Caroline, and is highly suspicious of her. He feels that she has turned the children against him.
Denise Lambert, the only daughter of the Lambert family. She is an indisputably attractive woman and garners attention from men and women. Of all the Lambert children, she is the most well rounded and the closest with her parents. A competitive person, she excels at her work and completes a culinary degree. Her lifestyle choices, however, are the source of much distress for her mother. Once married and now divorced, she is exploratory when it comes to relationships and sex. Like the other Lambert children, her indiscretions often backfire on her. After securing her dream job at an upscale restaurant as the executive chef, she becomes entangled in a love triangle involving her employer and his wife, which soon gets her fired. Given her determination and career-oriented nature, she is able to find a new job quickly.
Caroline Lambert, the wife of Gary Lambert. Despite Gary's attempts to control her, Caroline is very independent. She is close to their children and capable of rallying them against Gary. She frequently annoys her husband for her own amusement. She dislikes his family.
Julia Vrais, the girlfriend of Chip Lambert. Despite being married, she dates Chip and helps him by reading over his new screenplay. She is not very committed to the relationship, however, and Chip's objectification of women in his screenplay is reason enough to break up with him.
Eden Procuro, a film producer and friend of Chip Lambert. She is insincere in her interactions with other people and appears bubbly and overeager. She is, however, committed to helping Chip and lands him a job.
Jonah Lambert, a son of Gary and Caroline Lambert. He is Enid's favorite grandchild and returns her affection only because it is advantageous for him since she showers him with gifts. Jonah is closer to his father than are any of his siblings.
Brian Callahan, the employer and lover of Denise Lambert. After quickly making millions, he appoints Denise as executive chef of his new restaurant, the Generator. When the relationship unravels, he fires Denise.
Robin Passafaro, the wife of Brian Callahan and Denise's lover. Robin is attractive and thin and is initially hesitant to open up to Denise. Her energy is fearless and confident and eventually wins Denise's affection.
Melissa Paquette, the student lover of Chip Lambert. One of Chip's best students, she is a sharp critic and self-assured. She confidently courts Chip and seems to be the more dominant partner in their relationship.