Pierre (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Herman Melville
- First Published: 1852
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Philosophical
- Time of Work: Early nineteenth century
- Setting: New York City
- Genres: Long fiction, Philosophical realism
- Subjects: Family or family life, New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Suicide, Authors or writers, Nineteenth century, New York City, Brothers and sisters, Incest, Illegitimacy
- Locales: New York, NY
Characters Discussed
Pierre Glendinning, a wealthy young easterner of the early nineteenth century. When he claims his half sister as his wife in order to shield her from the world, his decision causes him to lose his inheritance, his fiancée, and eventually his life. Having shot and killed a male cousin, he is sent to prison. During a visit from his fiancée and his half sister, he swallows poison and dies.
Isabel, Pierre’s half sister, the illegitimate daughter of an alliance Pierre’s father had with a young French woman. Her love for Pierre is not the typical...
[The entire page is 565 words long]
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