dem: Analysis of Major Characters
The analysis of major characters in this narrative centers around the complex dynamics within the Pierce family and their interactions with others. The protagonist, Mitchell Pierce, is portrayed as a white, middle-class advertising executive, grappling with personal dissatisfaction in both his marriage and fatherhood. His relationship with his wife, Tam, reflects the challenges inherent in their troubled union, as she embodies qualities of boredom and narcissism, highlighting a mutual failure to acknowledge their shared responsibilities.
Opal Simmons, the family's black maid, plays a crucial role in the story, showcasing the complexities of class and race. Despite her limited involvement in the plot's action, her character brings a sense of dignity and personal power that contrasts sharply with her employer's superficiality. Additionally, Calvin Coolidge Williams, known as "Cooley," adds depth to the narrative, representing an enigmatic force with significant ties to the Pierce family. Together, these characters illustrate themes of power, identity, and the often-hidden struggles within seemingly ordinary lives, inviting readers to explore deeper societal implications.
dem: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: William Melvin Kelley
First published: 1967
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York City
Plot: Satire
Time: The early 1960's
Mitchell Pierce, the novel's protagonist, a white, middle-class advertising executive. He is the husband of Tam, to whom he is unhappily married, and the father of Jake and of one of two newborn twin sons. Crude, demanding, weak-willed, easily led, and vulnerable in ways that he cannot imagine, he represents a peculiarly pampered version of complacent, bourgeois, American manhood.
Tam Pierce, Mitchell's white, bored, and demanding wife, the mother of Jake and unnamed twin boys. Her sexuality is central to the development of the novel's plot. Although their marriage essentially is a failure, Tam and Mitchell are counterparts, though they cannot recognize or take responsibility for the fact. Her shallowness and narcissism are the psychological equivalents of Mitchell's cultural superficiality.
Opal Simmons, the Pierces' black maid. She is fired by Mitchell on grounds of suspected thievery, then later pursued and rehired by Mitchell for his own protection. Her simplicity and directness make her obviously superior to her employer, as Mitchell's shamefaced pursuit of her suggests. Although she does not take part in the novel's action to any great extent, her position is pivotal in the novel's development. She effectively embodies personal power and dignity that the role of servant often masks.
Calvin Coolidge Williams, also called “Cooley,” Opal's boyfriend and father of one of the Pierce twins. Mitchell becomes familiar with him without realizing who he is or the unusual, unspoken, relationship between them. Cooley is a somewhat enigmatic character, difficult to assess or pin down. His vitality and style are fundamental expressions of his nature.