The Dollmaker: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Dollmaker: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the lives of the Nevels family, primarily focusing on Gertie Nevels, a resilient dollmaker from Kentucky. Gertie embodies strength and resourcefulness as she navigates the challenges of urban life in Detroit, where her husband Clovis struggles to adapt and provide for the family. The narrative highlights the dynamics between Gertie and Clovis, particularly as Clovis's inability to support the family leads to increased burdens on her shoulders. Their children, including the adaptable Clytie and the dreamer Cassie, present a contrast between resilience and vulnerability as they cope with the harsh realities of their new environment.
Other characters, like Granma Kendrick and their neighbors Victor and Sophronie, contribute to the family's struggles, illustrating the broader context of immigrant and working-class life. The story also touches on themes of loss and sacrifice, notably through tragic events involving the children. Overall, the character analysis showcases the complexities of family dynamics and the intersection of personal dreams with harsh societal challenges, providing a rich exploration of resilience in the face of adversity.
The Dollmaker: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Harriette Arnow
First published: 1954
Genre: Novel
Locale: Appalachian Kentucky and Detroit, Michigan
Plot: Social realism
Time: Late autumn, 1944, to late autumn, 1945
Gertie Nevels, the dollmaker, a wood-carver and a strong, resilient woman from the mountains of Kentucky. Gertie stashes any extra money she has in the hem of her coat, and with these savings she dreams of buying a farm. When her husband, Clovis, finds work in Detroit and sends for the family, she tries to buy a farm, but the purchase is prevented by her mother, who believes that Gertie's place is with her husband. Her mountain nature is at odds with the city, but her resourcefulness helps pay the bills when Clovis is laid off and later, after Clovis is forced to hide from the police after killing a man in a labor dispute. With Clovis'help, she mass-produces wooden toys and other wood carvings, which her children hawk on the street. When her daughter Cassie is killed by a train, Gertie uses her savings to bury the child. Her final surrender occurs when a large order for wooden toys arrives. Unable to buy wood, she splits the large block of cherry wood brought from Kentucky on which she had been carving a bust of Christ.
Clovis Nevels, Gertie's husband, possibly as gifted with machines as Gertie is with wood. Clovis, although well intentioned, does not provide well for his family. His unhappiness with the mountain life leads him to Detroit, where he finds work, then sends for his family. Through his extravagance, the family goes deeply into debt, and when he is laid off, the burden of providing for the family shifts to Gertie's shoulders. During a labor dispute, Clovis is beaten by a thug, whom he later kills. Because he is forced to hide from the police and therefore is unable to find work, his ability to provide for the family is further damaged.
Clytie Nevels, their fourteen-year-old daughter, who quickly adapts to Detroit. In doing so, she helps Gertie adjust to the city. Along with her brother Enoch, she sells her mother's carvings on the street, thus ensuring the family's survival.
Enoch Nevels, the Nevelses' nine-year-old son, who, along with Clytie, adjusts to the city environment.
Reuben Nevels, the Nevelses' twelve-year-old son, who is not able to adjust to Detroit. He runs away from home and goes back to Kentucky to live with his grandparents.
Cassie Nevels, the Nevelses' five-year-old daughter. The dreamer of the family, she retreats from the horrors of city schools into her own world, inhabited by a make-believe friend, Callie Lou. Her make-believe leads her to the train yard, where she is run over by a train and bleeds to death.
Amos Nevels, the Nevelses' three-year-old son. When he cannot breathe because of diphtheria, Gertie performs an emergency tracheotomy with her whittling knife and a cane branch, saving his life.
Granma Kendrick, Gertie's mother, a hypochondriac. A deeply religious woman, she constantly whines about the burdens of her life. She gives Gertie the money from Henley's insurance policy but spends it all herself when Gertie tries to use it to buy a farm.
Henley Kendrick, Gertie's brother, who is killed in the war.
Victor, a generous Polish American neighbor who helps the Nevelses adjust to their new life in Detroit.
Max, Victor's young wife, who leaves him for another man.
Sophronie, another congenial Detroit neighbor and a fellow Southerner. She is forced to leave her children to work the graveyard shift in the factory.
Whit, Sophronie's husband, also from the South.
Joe, an immigrant from Sicily who sells vegetables and gives Gertie much-needed credit.
Joe's nephew, an illegal immigrant from Sicily who attacks Clovis during a labor fight. He is later hunted down and killed by Clovis with Gertie's whittling knife.
Mr. Daly, an insufferable Detroit neighbor.
Mrs. Daly, the mother of ten children. A patient, frazzled woman who suffers miserably at the hands of her husband.