Jalna: Analysis of Major Characters
"Jalna: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate family dynamics within the Whiteoak family, centered around their ancestral home, Jalna. The narrative highlights several key characters, starting with Grandma Whiteoak, the authoritative matriarch whose domineering presence significantly impacts her grandchildren's lives. Renny Whiteoak, her eldest grandchild, plays a central role as the family's stabilizing force, balancing his responsibilities while grappling with unrequited love for his sister-in-law, Alayne. Meg Whiteoak, Renny's sister, faces societal judgment after breaking her engagement to Maurice Vaughan, who becomes a pivotal figure in her life when he later seeks her forgiveness.
Eden Whiteoak, Renny and Meg's half-brother, is depicted as a sensitive dreamer caught between his aspirations and troubled relationships, especially with his wife Alayne and the enigmatic Pheasant. Alayne, characterized by her gentle and supportive nature, struggles with her feelings for Renny while attempting to maintain her marriage amidst societal pressures. Other family members, such as Piers and Finch Whiteoak, add complexity to the family dynamics, showcasing varying degrees of ambition and acceptance within the family's social structure. The interwoven stories of love, betrayal, and familial loyalty create a rich tapestry that invites readers to reflect on the influences of heritage and personal choice in shaping individual destinies within this family saga.
Jalna: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Mazo de la Roche
First published: 1927
Genre: Novel
Locale: Canada
Plot: Domestic realism
Time: The 1920's
Grandma Whiteoak, the ninety-nine-year-old matriarch of the family. She tyrannizes her grandchildren, giving them physical blows to enforce her whims.
Renny Whiteoak, eldest of Grandma's grandchildren. A bachelor, he holds the family together and supervises their farms. While he has power and position, he does not delight in them. He falls in love with his sister-in-law, Alayne, Eden's wife.
Meg Whiteoak, Renny's sister. She is unmarried because she broke her engagement to Maurice Vaughan after he had fathered an illegitimate child. Many years later, she forgives and marries him.
Maurice Vaughan, Renny's friend and former fiancé of Meg. He is the father of the girl known as Pheasant. He eventually marries Meg.
Eden Whiteoak, Renny and Meg's half brother. He is a dreamer and poet. He marries Alayne Archer, a publisher's reader from New York. He accuses her of nagging when she tries to encourage his writing. He falls in love with Pheasant and deserts Alayne.
Alayne Archer, Eden's wife. She is a gentle, helpful woman. She falls in love with Renny but returns to New York to prevent scandal and divorce.
Piers Whiteoak, half brother to Renny and Meg. He is a plodding man who marries Pheasant. He resents Alayne because the family accepts her more readily than they do his wife.
Finch Whiteoak, half brother to Renny and Meg. He is an unambitious young man who finally is encouraged to be a musician by Alayne.
Wakefield Whiteoak, half brother to Renny and Meg. He is a badly spoiled eight-year-old.
Pheasant Vaughan, the illegitimate daughter of Maurice, and Piers' wife. She makes a play for Eden's attentions.