The Fruit of the Tree (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Edith Wharton
- First Published: 1907
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: Late nineteenth century
- Setting: The United States
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: United States or Americans, Nineteenth century, Class consciousness, Substance abuse, Working class, Drug addiction or addicts, Reformers, Euthanasia or right to die, Mills or millwork, Factory management
- Locales: New England
Characters Discussed
John Amherst, an assistant mill manager. Concerned with the low standard of working conditions at the mill, he endeavors to convince Bessy Westmore, the owner, of the necessity for improvement. Impressed by her apparent interest in the project, he marries her, only to be disillusioned by her unwillingness to make any sacrifice in the cause. On her death, he marries Justine Brent.
Bessy Westmore, a mill owner and John Amherst’s first wife. Selfish and self-indulgent, she disillusions her husband by her lack of interest in the working conditions at...
[The entire page is 502 words long]
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