Tobacco Road: Analysis of Major Characters
"Tobacco Road: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the lives of the impoverished Lester family in rural Georgia, as depicted in Erskine Caldwell's novel. The central character, Jeeter Lester, is a shiftless father of seventeen children, grappling with poverty and hopelessness, which culminates in his tragic death from a fire he inadvertently sets. His wife, Ada, faces a similar fate, reflecting the dire conditions of their existence. Their son, Dude, is persuaded to marry a middle-aged widow, which leads to a series of unfortunate events, including accidents that claim lives without significant remorse from the community. Bessie, Dude's wife, takes on the role of a backwoods evangelist, highlighting the intersection of personal and spiritual authority in their lives. Pearl, another daughter, struggles for autonomy and ultimately escapes a stifling marriage. Lov, her husband, is encouraged by Jeeter to pursue another daughter, Ellie May, who uses her wiles to navigate the chaotic dynamics of their relationships. Together, these characters paint a vivid picture of survival, desperation, and the complexities of human relationships in a struggling community. This overview provides a glimpse into the themes of poverty, familial bonds, and resilience that define the narrative.
Tobacco Road: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Erskine Caldwell
First published: 1932
Genre: Novel
Locale: Georgia
Plot: Naturalism
Time: The 1920's
Jeeter Lester, a Georgia poor white, the father of seventeen, of whom twelve are surviving and two are still at home. Shiftless but always vaguely hopeful, he makes several halfhearted and futile attempts to feed himself first and his starving family afterward. He burns to death in his shack as a result of a fire he set to burn broomsedge.
Ada Lester, his wife, who shares his fate.
Dude Lester, his sixteen-year-old son, who is persuaded into marriage with a middle-aged widow by her purchase of a Ford, which subsequently runs over and kills a black man and, later, the Lesters' grandmother, both to no one's particular regret.
Bessie Lester, Dude's wife. She uses her authority as a backwoods evangelist to perform her own marriage ceremony.
Pearl Bensey, Jeeter's fifteen-year-old married daughter. After being tied to their bed by her husband, she manages to free herself and run away.
Lov Bensey, Pearl's husband. After Pearl's flight, he is advised by Jeeter to take Ellie May instead.
Ellie May Lester, Jeeter's harelipped daughter, who uses her charms to distract Lov's attention, first from his bag of turnips, then later from his marital loss.