Characters
ArthurSee Arty Kurnitz.
Arty Kurnitz
Arty Kurnitz, a thirteen-year-old, is the youngest son of Eddie. He is
compelled to live with his grandmother, Kurnitz, for ten months while his
father works to pay off a debt to a loan shark. Although Arty prefers to be
called "Arty," his grandmother insists on calling him "Arthur," and he
begrudgingly accepts this. During the play, Arty falls ill and is made to drink
his grandmother's awful mustard soup. He is also intimidated by his Uncle
Louie, who is involved with the mob, especially when Louie tries to get Arty to
open a mysterious satchel. In this situation, Jay stands up for Arty. By the
conclusion of the play, Arty finds himself missing Uncle Louie, who has joined
the military to escape other mobsters. Bella confides in Arty and Jay about her
plans to marry when she has no one else to share them with.
Aunt Bella Kurnitz
Aunt Bella is Grandma Kurnitz's daughter, who has a mental impairment, and she
is the aunt to Jay and Arty Kurnitz. Bella is the most evolving character in
the play. Initially, the focus is on Bella's mental state. She often appears to
be in a daze, which is later understood as her way of coping with her troubled
family life. Bella is a dreamer and enjoys spending time at the movie theater.
It is here that she meets an illiterate usher whom she wishes to marry. She
also dreams of starting a business with him but requires five thousand dollars
to make this dream a reality. Bella is apprehensive about discussing this with
her family, particularly her mother. Consequently, she invites the entire
family to a dinner where she plans to announce her news. However, she struggles
to find the right moment and eventually relies on Jay to help her share her
news by asking her guiding questions.
Despite her fear of her mother, Bella confronts Grandma Kurnitz three times throughout the play. Initially, when Grandma Kurnitz refuses to let Jay and Arty stay, Bella threatens to leave if the boys are not allowed to remain. During the dinner, she gives a speech asserting her independence, prompting her mother to leave the room silently. Finally, at the play's end, Bella brings up her mother's painful past, referencing the loss of two children. Bella declares her intention to raise her children with love, rather than withholding affection out of fear of loss and heartache. By the play's conclusion, Bella undergoes a complete transformation. She has made a new friend and has a potential date. She speaks to her mother with newfound confidence and demonstrates strength and independence.
Eddie Kurnitz
Eddie Kurnitz is the son of Grandma Kurnitz and the father of Jay and Arty
Kurnitz. He must leave his sons with his mother to head south, hoping to take
advantage of wartime job opportunities to settle a debt owed to a loan shark.
This debt arose from paying his late wife's hospital expenses. Eddie believes
the only solution is to work tirelessly, which eventually affects his health.
Throughout the play, he communicates with his sons and mother through letters,
which are read aloud to the audience. These letters set the mood for each
scene, making Eddie a significant character, even though he only appears in
person in the opening and closing scenes.
Gert Kurnitz
Gert is Grandma Kurnitz's daughter and the aunt of Arty and Jay. Due to her mother's stern love, Gert has developed a breathing issue, causing her to exhale at the start of a sentence and inhale at the end. This condition worsens...
(This entire section contains 1232 words.)
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when she is around her mother. When Bella runs away, Gert shelters her for a few days without informing their mother.
Grandma Kurnitz
Grandma Kurnitz is the mother of Eddie, Bella, Louie, and Gert, and the
grandmother of Jay and Arty Kurnitz. She is known for her stern demeanor,
emphasized by her strong German accent. While all the characters feel she is
overly strict, it's revealed at the play's conclusion that her toughness stems
from the loss of two of her children. Since then, she has emotionally shut
herself off from others, raising her children with a strict focus on survival.
This approach has led each child to develop their own coping mechanisms, some
of which are harmful, like Gert's breathing issue.
When Jay and Arty move in with Grandma Kurnitz, she is equally tough on them. Like with her own children, she makes Jay pay for any missing items from her candy store, even when she takes them herself. Several characters challenge Grandma Kurnitz, including Arty, but they all eventually relent, except for Bella. Grandma Kurnitz primarily seeks to protect Bella, who is mentally challenged. She treats Bella like a child and struggles to accept that Bella is growing up and desires an adult life with a husband and children. Despite her reluctance to admit her reliance on others, particularly Bella, by the play's end, Grandma Kurnitz comes to terms with Bella's maturation.
Jay Kurnitz
Jay Kurnitz, a fifteen-year-old, is the eldest son of Eddie. He is compelled to
stay with his Grandma Kurnitz for ten months while his father works to pay off
a debt to a loan shark. Jay prefers to be called "Jay," but his grandma insists
on calling him "Yakob," and he reluctantly accepts it. Both Jay and his brother
Arty help out in their grandmother's store, but Jay often bears the brunt of
her harshness. Whenever items like pretzels go missing from the store—even if
Grandma Kurnitz took them—Jay is held responsible and has to pay for them. Jay
comes up with the idea to search for their grandma's hidden fortune, hoping to
send it to their father, Eddie, so that he doesn't have to exhaust himself
working. Jay also considers making money by joining his Uncle Louie in the mob
business, but Louie dismisses the idea. When Louie suspects the boys of
meddling with his mysterious black satchel, he tries to coerce Arty into
opening it, but Jay stands up for his brother. Bella confides in Jay and Arty
about her marriage plans as she has no one else to talk to. When Aunt Bella
becomes anxious at a family dinner and struggles to announce her engagement,
Jay assists her by asking questions to guide her.
Louie Kurnitz
Louie Kurnitz is Grandma Kurnitz's son and the uncle of Jay and Arty. He is the
toughest among Grandma Kurnitz's children and works as a henchman for the mob.
His character is shaped by this role, evident in his speech, clothing style,
and actions. Louie experiences intense emotional swings. He can be fiercely
intimidating, especially when he suspects Jay and Arty of peeking into his
enigmatic black bag, leading to explosive reactions. However, he can also be
cheerful and enjoyable to be around. Throughout the play, Louie prepares to
leave town as he is on the run from the mob. In the end, the audience learns
that Louie joined the army to escape the mob and is fighting in the Battle of
Guadalcanal. Despite earning a significant amount of money from his illegal
activities, he tries to give some to his mother, who refuses it. Although he
initially disapproves of Bella's plan to marry an illiterate man and open a
restaurant, he supports her dream by giving her five thousand dollars.
YakobSee Jay Kurnitz.
