Losing Battles: Analysis of Major Characters
"Losing Battles" is a family saga that centers around the reunion of the Vaughn family, primarily focusing on its major characters and their interconnected relationships. Granny Vaughn, the matriarch, is a pivotal figure, exuding authority and wisdom despite her frail condition. Her great-grandson, Jack Renfro, represents hope for the family, having escaped prison to attend the reunion, and embarks on a journey that intertwines his fate with that of Judge Moody, the man who once imprisoned him. Beulah Renfro, Granny's granddaughter, plays a vital role as caregiver and mediator, balancing family dynamics while wrestling with her feelings toward the judge.
The narrative also features Gloria Short Renfro, whose aspirations are complicated by her love for Jack and her fierce protectiveness over their daughter. Other significant characters include the formidable Miss Julia Mortimer, a former teacher whose legacy looms large over the proceedings, and Nathan Beecham, a wandering brother whose return adds depth to the family lore. The gathering is enriched by the presence of various relatives, each contributing to the unfolding stories and secrets of the Vaughn lineage. This intricate web of relationships and past grievances sets the stage for revelations and reflections on family identity, legacy, and the interplay of love and conflict.
Losing Battles: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Eudora Welty
First published: 1970
Genre: Novel
Locale: The rural Mississippi hill country
Plot: Pastoral
Time: The 1930's
Granny Vaughn, the frail and indomitable matriarch whose birthday is the occasion for the family reunion. As small as a boy, she sits enthroned on her rocker, from which she fixes her slit eyes on her well-wishers and tells them just how they measure up or fall short. She claims to be one hundred years old, although she is actually ninety, and she has been saving one family secret for this day when the family history is retold.
Jack Renfro, Granny's great-grandson and the hope of the family. He is small in stature, unfailingly cheerful, and pleased to do his best to live up to his family's expectations and take a starring role in the family legend. Escaping from Parchman to be on time for the reunion, Jack unknowingly plays the Good Samaritan to Judge Moody, who sent him to prison. Then, crediting the judge with saving the life of his baby daughter, Jack brings the Moodys home to the family circle.
Beulah Renfro, the mother of Jack and four other children, Granny's only granddaughter. She is an energetic cook, gardener, and talker, feeding everyone and explaining everything. She protects Granny and draws her authority from the older woman's while mediating the family stories to the benefit of her favorites. Much as she resents Judge Moody for sending Jack to prison, she cannot refuse him and his wife a meal and a place to sleep.
Gloria Short Renfro, a freckled redhead, a passionate wife to Jack and devoted mother to Lady May, intent on leaving Jack's family behind. She came to Banner to learn from and take the place of Miss Julia Mortimer but fell in love, married, and left teaching, much to the family's approval. When she leaps in the road to save her baby girl, Judge Moody drives his Buick up steep Banner Top, where it hangs over an abrupt drop. As the long day and night of storytelling wears on, the mystery of this orphan's parentage is unraveled.
Miss Julia Percival Mortimer, an imposing figure and un-forgettable teacher. Of missionary stock, she had challenged the generations of Banner students to quit worshiping themselves quite so wholeheartedly and became the mortal enemy in the Vaughn-Beecham legend. Judge Moody, a former pupil himself, received a summons from her; he arrives after her death but in time to defend her memory before the chroniclers at the reunion. Her funeral brings other loyal former students, great and small, from far and wide.
Miss Lexie Renfro, the witchlike old-maid sister of Ralph Renfro, Beulah's husband. She claims to have worshiped Miss Julia as her student, but her own matter-of-fact account of tying Miss Julia into her bed and denying her books and pencils, while serving as her nurse companion, chills both Gloria and Granny.
Nathan Beecham, the eldest of Beulah's brothers. His long hair is streaked with white, his face is brown and wrinkled, and he has only one hand. A wanderer who places wooden signs warning of God's wrath throughout the countryside, he returns in time for the reunion, standing the whole while behind Granny's chair.
Curly Stovall, a large man with small eyes, the local storekeeper and Jack's antagonist. It was Curly who took the heir-loom ring from Jack's younger sister Ella Fay, provoking Jack to stuff Curly into his own floor model coffin and appropriate the broken store safe. Curly brought charges in response, resulting in Jack being sent to prison.
Curtis, Dolphus, Percy, and Noah Webster Beecham,collectively known as the Beecham brother, who along with their wives serve as the chorus for the day's surprises and for the well-known but ever-changing family history.
Brother Bethune, a man carrying a well-worn Bible and a loaded gun. He arrives at the reunion to stand in for the late departed Grandpa, although everyone knows that he will not be up to the task. His job is to bless the gathering, recite the family history, and forgive Jack.
Willy Trimble, the local handyman. He spells his name “Willy Trimble?” because Miss Julia Mortimer told him not to. He is the one who discovers her body, and he has built her a coffin (she taught him how to use a saw), but it is rejected by those in charge.