Kate Fennigate: Analysis of Major Characters
"Kate Fennigate: Analysis of Major Characters" provides a detailed exploration of the central figures in the narrative, focusing on their relationships and individual characteristics. The protagonist, Kate Fennigate, is portrayed as a determined woman who pursues her ambitions despite facing significant challenges. Her mother, Mrs. Fennigate, is depicted as self-absorbed, while her father, Mr. Fennigate, struggles with alcoholism and infidelity, dying during a trip to Europe with Kate. Aunt Daisy, who takes Kate in, faces her own downfall, losing both her financial stability and mental health.
Other key characters include Mary, Aunt Daisy's fragile daughter, whose untimely death profoundly impacts those around her, including Ames Lanning, who becomes Kate's love interest but ultimately marries Mary posthumously. The next generation features Celia, Mary and Ames's daughter, who is romantically linked to Miley Stuart, a young engineer working at the Roe Metals factory, which also employs Kate. The narrative further introduces Mr. Bortshleff, a lawyer who provides career opportunities for Ames, and Laila Capper, a wealthy classmate whose interference threatens Kate's marriage. The complexities of these relationships illustrate themes of ambition, loss, and societal pressures, inviting a deeper examination of each character's motivations and the overarching dynamics at play.
Kate Fennigate: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Booth Tarkington
First published: 1943
Genre: Novel
Locale: Middle West
Plot: Domestic realism
Time: Twentieth century
Kate Fennigate, a managing woman who knows what she wants in life and usually gets it, sometimes against great odds.
Mrs. Fennigate, her mother, interested only in eating. She dies after Kate's graduation from high school.
Mr. Fennigate, her father, interested in women and drinking. He dies during a trip to Europe with Kate.
Aunt Daisy, who takes Kate in as a household drudge. She loses her money in the stock market and later loses her mind.
Mary, Daisy's delicate daughter, whose death desolates her mother.
Ames Lanning, Mary's husband, whom Kate loves and tries to spur to success as a lawyer. After Mary's death, he marries her.
Celia, the daughter of Mary and Ames, in love with Miley Stuart.
Miley Stuart, a young engineer at the Roe Metals factory.
Mr. Roe, who employs both Kate and Ames.
Mr. Bortshleff, a lawyer who invites Ames to work with him.
Laila Capper, Kate's rich and beautiful classmate, who tries to break up Kate's marriage to Ames.
Tuke Speer, interested in Kate but persuaded by Laila to elope with her. Kate arranges for Tuke to be sent to manage Roe's New York office, thus removing the predatory Laila from Ames's presence.