Peyton Place centers on Allison MacKenzie, its main character, who is woven into a rich tapestry of other characters that collectively illustrate the town's social dynamics. Allison, the daughter of Constance and an undisclosed lover from the past, is unaware of her illegitimacy for much of the novel. Like her mother once did, Allison dreams of leaving the small town for New York to pursue fame and fortune. Her aspiration is to become a writer, using her craft to gain financial independence, which she believes will grant her personal and social freedom. Though her mother fears Allison might repeat her own mistakes by becoming entangled with a lover, Allison ultimately avoids these pitfalls and achieves a degree of independence by the novel's conclusion.

The secondary characters in the book are equally fascinating and sometimes even more memorable. At the pinnacle of the social hierarchy are the Harringtons, Leslie and his son Rodney, who serve to illuminate the town's social stratification. Embodying wealth and influence, both father and son are arrogant and somewhat ruthless, though Rodney lacks his father's predatory nature. Rodney's recklessness leads to his demise, a result of his indulgence in alcohol and promiscuity. Despite their affluence and status, both men are unhappy and struggle to find love and genuine human connection.

On the opposite end of Peyton Place's social spectrum is the Cross family, who live in semi-poverty. This family includes Selena, Allison's closest friend, along with her brother, mother, and stepfather. Selena's story delivers some of the novel's most dramatic moments, as she is sexually abused by her stepfather and ultimately kills him during one of his drunken assaults. Her mother's subsequent suicide, following the attack on Selena, leaves Selena and her brother orphaned, marking her as a tragic victim of the town's prudish and judgmental nature.

Other characters in the town fit into similarly predictable roles. The local professionals, such as the doctor and newspaper editor, are depicted as gruff yet compassionate individuals who show kindness to the socially marginalized. Norman Page, another of Allison's close friends, is implied to be homosexual, a trait attributed to his overbearing mother. Betty Anderson, noted for her sexual boldness, attempts to climb the social ladder by seducing Rodney Harrington, hoping to secure a place among the elite through blackmail, but her plan fails.

The town is also home to a variety of other individuals, including the town drunk who serves as an unlikely oracle, and a collection of widows and spinsters who act as a moral chorus. Mike Rossi, overcoming Constance's sexual apprehensions, ultimately becomes Allison's stepfather.

Allison ultimately finds liberation from her mother's overwhelming emotional and physical anxieties due to Mike Rossi and his influence on her mother. Throughout the story, Constance fears that Allison will repeat her own mistakes. However, by committing to Rossi, she manages to confront her past and enables her daughter to develop a healthier perspective on men and sexuality. The union between Connie and Mike also offers Allison the stable family environment she yearned for, providing her with a model for future relationships.

Despite the tendency of her characters to fall into stereotypes, Metalious infuses them with a sense of authenticity that transcends their potential flatness. Each character possesses a distinct humanity that makes them both well-defined and unforgettable.

Social Concerns

In numerous respects, Peyton Place stands as one of the most significant social novels of the 1950s. While its approach may seem naive, the novel offers a profound exploration of the social norms of the mid-1950s, particularly regarding sexual conventions. Its success is partly due to its remarkable precision in addressing topics...