Taps for Private Tussie: Analysis of Major Characters
"Taps for Private Tussie" presents a rich tapestry of character interactions within the Tussie family, highlighting themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of familial relationships. At the center is Grandpa Tussie, the patriarch, whose life is upended following the supposed death of his son, Kim. This event triggers a series of changes as the family transitions from living in a coal shed to a rented mansion, funded by insurance money from Kim's “widow,” Aunt Vittie. Tensions rise with Uncle Mott's unrequited love for George's wife, leading to a tragic confrontation that ends in violence.
Characters such as Aunt Vittie and Uncle George introduce layers of intrigue, with Vittie's lavish spending and George's musical talent juxtaposed against familial strife. The narrative further complicates with Kim's unexpected reappearance, which re-establishes the family dynamics but also uncovers hidden truths, such as Sid Seagraves' true parentage. The story is punctuated by the actions of supporting characters like Sheriff Whiteapple and George Rayburn, who are caught in the tumult of the Tussie family’s chaotic existence. Overall, this character analysis serves as a lens to explore deeper themes of identity, legacy, and the oftentimes turbulent nature of family life.
Taps for Private Tussie: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Jesse Stuart
First published: 1943
Genre: Novel
Locale: Kentucky
Plot: Regional
Time: Twentieth century
Grandpa Tussie, the head of the Tussie clan. He lives with his family in a schoolhouse coal shed until the supposed death of a son. After the funeral, the son's wife uses her insurance money to set up the family in a rented mansion, where they and descending relatives live high. Grandpa's relief check is taken away and later, when the last of the insurance money is used to buy a farm in his name, his old-age pension also is taken away.
Grandma Tussie, his wife. When she counts forty-six Tussie relatives living in the mansion, she will stand for no more.
George Tussie, Grandpa's brother, the first relative to move in. A fine fiddle player, he has been married five times. His nephew's “widow” falls in love with his fiddle playing and marries him.
Uncle Mott Tussie, Grandpa's son. He is in love with his brother's wife and therefore hates George. When he finally shoots George's fiddle from his hands, George shoots him through the head.
Aunt Vittie Tussie, the “widow” who has inherited ten thousand dollars in government insurance and spends it lavishly on the family.
Uncle Kim Tussie, the supposedly deceased son. He reappears at the end of the novel; his brother Mott had falsely identified the body in the hope of inheriting his sister-in-law. Family life is resumed as it was before his “death,” except for the presence now of Uncle Mott's body.
Sid Seagraves Tussie, a grandson. He is revealed at last by Kim to be Aunt Vittie's son by a rich man who wronged Aunt Vittie and paid Kim to marry her. Now he is to be Kim's and Aunt Vittie's son.
George Rayburn, whose mansion the Tussies rent and almost wreck. He evicts them with difficulty.
Sheriff Whiteapple, who has to serve legal papers before the Tussies will leave the Rayburn mansion. After George Tussie's shooting of Mott, the sheriff comes for George.
Uncle Ben, Dee, Young Uncle Ben, Starkie, Watt, Sabie, and Abe, some of the Tussie relatives who move in. Uncle Mott shoots Young Uncle Ben and Dee for reporting Grandpa to the relief agency.