Jennie Gerhardt: Analysis of Major Characters
"Jennie Gerhardt" is a novel by Theodore Dreiser that explores the complexities of human relationships and societal pressures through its major characters. The protagonist, Jennie Gerhardt, is depicted as a beautiful and innocent young woman from a struggling family. Following her father's illness, she becomes a hotel worker and captures the attention of Senator Brander, leading to a brief but impactful relationship that results in her pregnancy. After Brander's sudden death, Jennie's life becomes intertwined with Lester Kane, a wealthy man torn between his social ambitions and his feelings for her. Their relationship faces immense challenges due to societal expectations and familial pressures, ultimately leading to Lester’s departure.
Other characters include Jennie's disapproving father, William Gerhardt, and Mrs. Letty Pace Gerald, who represents the social elite that Lester is drawn to. The story also features Jennie's daughter, Wilhelmina, who tragically dies young, further complicating Jennie's journey. As Jennie navigates her relationships and the harsh realities of life, the narrative addresses themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggle for identity within the constraints of social class. The character dynamics and their outcomes highlight the tensions between personal desires and societal obligations, making "Jennie Gerhardt" a poignant exploration of early 20th-century American life.
Jennie Gerhardt: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Theodore Dreiser
First published: 1911
Genre: Novel
Locale: Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati
Plot: Naturalism
Time: Late nineteenth century
Genevieve Gerhardt (Jennie), the oldest of six children of a poor, hardworking glass blower in Columbus, Ohio. Both beautiful and innocent, Jennie is forced to work at a local hotel when her father becomes ill; there, she attracts Senator Brander, who stays at the hotel. When Brander helps her family and keeps her brother out of jail for stealing coal from the railroad, Jennie, in gratitude, sleeps with him. At his sudden death, she is left pregnant. She later moves to Cleveland, where she meets Lester Kane. With her family in need again, she goes on a trip to New York with him in return for his help. Lester finds out about Jennie's daughter and agrees to allow the child to live with them. Jennie realizes that his family's disapproval of their relationship is harming Lester both financially and socially, and she influences him to leave her. He later marries an old childhood sweetheart. Jennie's daughter dies, and she adopts two orphan children. Some years later, while his wife is in Europe, Lester has a heart attack and sends for Jennie, who nurses him until his death.
Lester Kane, the son of a wealthy carriage manufacturer. A weak man, Lester is torn between his desire for social and financial affluence and his feeling for Jennie. He neither marries her nor leaves her, until his father's will demands that he act within three years. Pursued by Mrs. Gerald, a widow, he finally follows his family's wishes and leaves Jennie with a generous settlement.
William Gerhardt, Jennie's father, a poor glass blower. After his wife dies and his children grow up, he lives with Jennie, the daughter of whom he disapproved but who is ultimately kindest to him. He dies in Chicago.
George Sylvester Brander, a senator from Ohio. A bachelor, he intends to marry Jennie but dies of a heart attack.
Wilhelmina Vesta, Jennie's daughter by Senator Brander; she dies of typhoid fever at the age of fourteen.
Mrs. Letty Pace Gerald, a wealthy widow and childhood sweetheart of Lester Kane. Lester finally marries her but is not happy.
Mrs. Gerhardt, Jennie's mother, hardworking and sympathetic. She dies in Cleveland before Jennie moves to Chicago.
Robert Kane, Lester's older brother, vice president of the carriage company. A ruthless financier interested only in power, he influences his father to make the will that cripples Lester.
Archibald Kane, Lester's father. According to his will, Lester must abandon Jennie to get his share in the business. If he marries Jennie, he is to receive ten thousand dollars a year for life; if he continues to live with her without marriage, he gets nothing after three years.
Sebastian Gerhardt (Bass), Jennie's oldest brother and the closest to her.
George Gerhardt, another brother.
Martha Gerhardt, a sister; she becomes a teacher.
William Gerhardt, Jr., a brother who becomes an electrical engineer.
Veronica Gerhardt, a sister who marries a wholesale druggist in Cleveland.
Louise Kane, Lester's youngest sister, a cold woman who discovers that Lester is living with Jennie in a Chicago hotel.
Amy Kane and Imogene Kane, other sisters.
Mrs. Kane, Lester's mother.
Mrs. Henry Bracebridge, Jennie's Cleveland employer at whose home she meets Lester Kane.
Mr. O'Brien, a lawyer, the executor of Archibald Kane's estate; he suggests that Jennie influence Lester to leave her.
Rose Perpetua and Henry Stover, orphans adopted by Jennie.
Samuel E. Ross, a real-estate promoter through whom Lester loses money.