Characters
Catherine (Kay) Leiland Strong
Catherine (Kay) Leiland Strong, originating from Salt Lake City, serves as a central figure in the narrative of The Group. As an outsider, yet a natural leader, she is acknowledged for her audacity and unconventional behavior among her eight Vassar classmates from the class of 1933. Kay is initially portrayed as adventurous and bold, traits that sometimes shock her peers. She is the first to marry, tying the knot with Harald Petersen, a stage manager and aspiring playwright, although some suspect her motives are driven by ambition due to her interest in theater developed at Vassar.
Living in a state of hope yet impoverishment, Kay works at Macy’s while Harald attempts to establish a career in theater, unfortunately falling short of success. Harald's infidelity goes unnoticed by Kay as their marriage slowly dissolves amidst constant quarrels. Despite their tumultuous relationship, marked by emotional and physical abuse, Kay refuses to publicly acknowledge Harald’s infidelity. Eventually, she becomes estranged from the group, leading to her hospitalization and divorce.
Kay’s narrative arc concludes tragically with her untimely death at twenty-nine, following a fall from a window at the Vassar Club, where she resided after her divorce. At her funeral, held in the same Episcopal church where she wed, tensions culminate when Harald receives his comeuppance from Lakey, who possesses the aesthetic sensibilities and detached judgment to do so.
Despite her Ivy League education and robust prospects, Kay's vulnerability makes her susceptible to exploitation, a fate not uncommon among women of her disposition, enthusiastic and candid, yet open to manipulation by others.
Dorothy (Dottie) Renfrew
Dorothy (Dottie) Renfrew, hailing from Boston, navigates the complexities of love and identity with a mix of naiveté and resolve. After graduation, Dottie embraces her sexual awakening in New York, deliberately losing her virginity to Dick Brown, a painter and neighbor to Kay and Harald. Despite developing feelings for Dick, she faces his insistence on a purely physical relationship, leading to an uncomfortable excursion to obtain a diaphragm. Embarrassed and unable to contact Dick, Dottie abandons the contraceptive beneath a bench and returns to Boston.
In Arizona, sent for her health, Dottie becomes engaged to Brook Latham, a wealthy older widower, despite lingering affections for Dick. Her mother supports her decision, advising a reunion with Dick, but Dottie remains firm. Her story reflects a balance of self-preservation and the struggle with societal expectations, leading her to build a new life away from New York, absent at Kay’s funeral.
Helena Davison
Helena Davison, a native of Cleveland and Kay’s former roommate, stands out for her intellectual prowess and droll humor. Her wealthy yet simple-living parents encourage her to forgo employment, believing it would deny opportunities to those in need. After a European sojourn, Helena becomes an art student rather than pursuing her initial plan to teach. Living in Cleveland, she remains a peripheral figure within the group yet serves as the alumnae correspondent, her writing a parody of such tasks.
Helena's insightful observations often reveal the group's underlying truths. She uncovers the affair between Harald and Norine Schmittlap Blake, a discovery she keeps secret out of pity for Kay. Her frank confrontation with Norine about her flawed marriage and choices highlights Helena’s role as a moral compass within the narrative.
Elizabeth (Libby) MacAusland
Elizabeth (Libby) MacAusland, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is characterized by her ambition and dispassionate nature. After Vassar, Libby resides in a posh New York apartment funded by her parents, as she pursues a career in publishing. Her relentless efforts eventually land her a position with a literary agent, following years of manuscript reading...
(This entire section contains 1087 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
and occasional translations. Libby’s social life is vibrant, filled with cultural events reflective of her station.
Despite her achievements, Libby's self-centeredness and pretentiousness render her somewhat isolated within the group, lacking the essential positive qualities shared by her peers. Her career success contrasts sharply with her interpersonal disconnect.
Polly Andrews
Polly Andrews, originally from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, embodies resilience and empathy. Her family's financial decline due to the stock market crash does not thwart her positive outlook or ability to help others. Post-graduation, Polly works at Cornell Medical Center and resides in a modest apartment in New York.
Polly's romantic life is marked by a poignant affair with Gus LeRoy, an editor, ending as he reconciles with his estranged wife. Her personal challenges, including her father's manic depression and her financial struggles, showcase her steadfastness and good nature. Polly's eventual marriage to Jim Ridgeley, a psychiatrist, ensures her stability, and she plays a crucial supportive role for Kay during her hospitalization.
Mary “Pokey” Prothero
Mary “Pokey” Prothero represents the carefree and wealthy New York socialite stereotype, yet she subverts expectations with her ambition. Despite her family’s pride in their perceived intellectual limitations, Pokey’s decision to study veterinary medicine and learn to fly demonstrates her capability. She ultimately secures her place in high society by marrying a Princeton man.
Pokey’s character serves to highlight the snobbery present in the group while also providing a portrait of someone who makes the best of her privileged circumstances, turning perceived disadvantages into opportunities for personal growth.
Priss Hartshorn
Priss Hartshorn is defined by her identity as the group’s intellectual and her engagement to Sloan Crockett, a pediatrician. Coming from a liberal family, Priss embodies the conflict between adhering to traditional roles and exploring progressive ideas. Her journey into motherhood is fraught with insecurities, as she navigates advice from various sources, often leading to self-doubt.
Her encounter with Norine Schmittlap, who embodies contrasting childcare philosophies and lives a life of psychological jargon, further complicates Priss’s understanding of motherhood. This realization prompts Priss to distance herself from Norine, although they cross paths again at Kay’s funeral, highlighting the disparate approaches to life and parenting within this social circle.
Elinor “Lakey” Eastlake
Elinor “Lakey” Eastlake, of Lake Forest, Chicago, is a complex figure of beauty, intellect, and wealth. Though often taciturn, Lakey is unapologetically critical and aware of the hypocrisies within her social milieu. Her close bond with Kay during college years is tinged with skepticism about Kay's motivations.
After spending significant time abroad, Lakey returns to New York accompanied by the German Baronesse d’Estienne, revealing her lesbian relationship. This revelation disturbs her Vassar peers, yet Lakey remains unperturbed, maintaining her judgment and distance. At Kay’s funeral, her interaction with Harald underscores her discerning nature and refusal to engage in his manipulative games, highlighting her role as a moral and aesthetic arbiter.
