Characters
Rose Maurrant
Rose Maurrant, a resolute twenty-year-old residing in a New York tenement, navigates the complexities of life as the daughter of Frank and Anna Maurrant and the older sister of Willie. She works at a real estate office and catches the attention of her boss, Harry Easter, as well as Vincent Jones, both of whom pursue her persistently. Despite Easter's enticements of setting her up in a lavish apartment and initiating her into show business, Rose steadfastly declines his advances. Likewise, she rebuffs Vincent's attempts to lure her into a nocturnal escapade. Her deepest connection lies with Sam Kaplan, a law student who expresses his love for her. Although Rose appreciates Sam's devotion, she refrains from pursuing a relationship, aware that his future might be brighter without her complicating presence.
Rose grapples with familial discord, disapproving of her mother's affair with Steve Sankey but remains powerless to avert the impending tragedy. She is haunted by the scene of returning home to the aftermath of her father's violent outburst, which left her mother and Sankey dead. In the wake of this disaster, Rose contemplates her future, acknowledging that no individual should be bound to another. She declines further assistance from both Easter and Sam, choosing instead to leave New York in pursuit of a life that promises better prospects for her and Willie. Despite the turmoil, Rose retains a faint optimism for the future, holding out hope that circumstances might allow for a reunion with Sam when maturity has tempered their lives.
Frank Maurrant
Frank Maurrant, the complex patriarch of the Maurrant family, is a stagehand who prides himself on upholding family values and moral propriety. However, his volatile temper and growing suspicions of his wife Anna's infidelity culminate in a catastrophic act of violence. In a fit of jealousy, he murders Anna and her lover, Steve Sankey, an act that shocks the community and makes him the subject of extensive gossip. Seeking refuge in a furnace room after the crime, Frank is eventually captured by the police, facing the grim prospect of a death sentence for his actions. His downfall underscores the tragic irony of his failed commitment to family ideals.
Anna Maurrant
Anna Maurrant, the discontented wife of Frank and the mother of Rose and Willie, finds herself trapped in an unhappy marriage. Her affair with Steve Sankey, the local milk collector, offers her a brief escape, yet it positions her at the center of tenement gossip. Anna's relationship with Sankey concludes disastrously when Frank discovers them together, resulting in her untimely death at his hands. Her tragic end highlights the perils of seeking solace in a fraught and dangerous liaison.
Sam Kaplan
Sam Kaplan is a perceptive and earnest law student, the younger sibling of Shirley Kaplan. Deeply enamored with Rose Maurrant, Sam finds solace in poetry and music, drawing a stark contrast to his pragmatic aspirations for a legal career. Though Rose recognizes Sam's affection, she consciously decides against a romantic involvement, fearing it might hinder their respective futures. Sam's protective instincts manifest when he steps in to shield Rose from unwanted advances by others, such as Vincent Jones. Despite his sister's influence, Sam remains steadfast in his compassion for Rose, hoping that time and wisdom may eventually allow for their paths to converge.
Harry Easter
Harry Easter, the office manager at Rose's workplace, is infatuated with her despite his marital status. He relentlessly attempts to extricate Rose from her current circumstances by offering her a new apartment and the promise of a career in stage acting. However, Rose consistently declines his propositions and, even after...
(This entire section contains 1432 words.)
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the devastating murder of her mother, refuses his offers of help. Ultimately, Easter comes to terms with Rose's decision to exclude him from her life.
Shirley Kaplan
Shirley Kaplan, a devoted teacher and the elder sister of Sam, is committed to supporting her family. Unmarried and pragmatic, she focuses on the welfare of her father, Abe, and her brother. Shirley is wary of Rose's potential impact on Sam's future and advises against their involvement. Despite Shirley's occasional abrasiveness, she reveals her gentler side when providing solace to Rose following Anna's murder.
Abe Kaplan
Abe Kaplan, the elder statesman of the Kaplan household, is a Jewish immigrant known for his vocal socialist views and criticism of capitalism. Living in the tenement with his children Shirley and Sam, Abe's outspoken beliefs often isolate him from his neighbors. Despite his contentious opinions, he remains devoted to the prosperity and happiness of his family.
Daniel Buchanan
Daniel Buchanan, a tenant awaiting the birth of his child, embodies the nervous anticipation of impending fatherhood. Assisted by Rose, he contacts essential help for his wife, eventually celebrating the arrival of his baby girl by the second act. Daniel's journey showcases the cycle of life amid the larger narrative's turmoil.
Filippo Fiorentino
Filippo "Lippo" Fiorentino, an Italian immigrant, adds a note of joviality to the tenement with his accordion music. Known for his generosity, Lippo frequently shares treats like ice cream with neighbors and offers financial help when possible. Despite his thoughtless comments about his wife not bearing children, his good-natured spirit endears him to the community.
Greta Fiorentino
Greta Fiorentino, Filippo's wife, is a German immigrant who teaches music to local children. Though frustrated by their childlessness and Filippo's insensitivity, Greta maintains a kind and generally benevolent demeanor. An active participant in tenement gossip, she nonetheless upholds a spirit of goodwill among her neighbors.
Willie Maurrant
Willie Maurrant, the young son of Frank and Anna, is a spirited ten-year-old who spends his days playing outside, largely oblivious to the undercurrents of tension within his family. Despite his carefree nature, his sister Rose seeks to shield him from the harsher realities that their family faces.
Vincent Jones
Vincent Jones, the stout son of Emma and George, works as a taxicab driver. His interest in Rose Maurrant is unreciprocated, leading him to react with aggression upon her rejection. Vincent embodies his family's intolerance, sharing in their critical attitudes toward those they perceive as different.
Emma Jones
Emma Jones, a middle-aged resident, is notorious for her gossiping nature and her tendency to scrutinize the immigrant inhabitants of the tenement. Her judgmental stance extends to the Maurrant family, yet she remains blind to her own children's faults.
George Jones
George Jones, Emma's husband and father to Mae and Vincent, mirrors his wife's critical nature but to a less intense degree. He partakes in the judgmental culture of the tenement, though not as fervently as Emma.
Mae Jones
Mae Jones, daughter of Emma and George, lives life on her terms, often defying societal expectations. Employed at a shop, Mae enjoys a liberated lifestyle, frequently staying out late with her boyfriend, Dick McGann.
Dick McGann
Dick McGann, Mae's boyfriend, shares her carefree outlook, with their nocturnal escapades marking their youthful defiance of conventions.
Charlie Hildebrand
Charlie Hildebrand, son of Laura Hildebrand, faces the specter of eviction along with his family. Despite their dire circumstances, Charlie and his sister continue their education, maintaining a semblance of normalcy amid uncertainty.
Laura Hildebrand
Laura Hildebrand, a struggling mother abandoned by her husband, strives to provide for her children, Charlie and Mary, in the face of eviction. Her efforts to maintain normalcy, such as taking her kids to the movies, are criticized by charity worker Alice Simpson, though Laura quietly accepts help due to limited options.
Mary Hildebrand
Mary Hildebrand, Laura's daughter, shares in her family's hardship, standing resilient in the face of their impending eviction while seeking to preserve a sense of stability.
Carl Olsen
Carl Olsen, a janitor and Scandinavian immigrant, resides in the building's basement. His readiness to assist others, including Rose, underscores his helpful and non-malicious character.
Olga Olsen
Olga Olsen, Carl's wife, contributes to the maintenance of the building. Though she indulges in gossip, Olga is less judgmental than many of her neighbors, often extending help where needed.
Steve Sankey
Steve Sankey, the milk collector, clandestinely engages in an affair with Anna Maurrant. This illicit relationship ultimately leads to his demise at the hands of Frank Maurrant, whose jealous rage results in a fatal confrontation.
Alice Simpson
Alice Simpson, a stern charity worker, visits the tenement to aid the Hildebrand family. Her cold and judgmental demeanor particularly targets Laura Hildebrand, as Alice disapproves of Laura’s attempts to maintain normalcy for her children despite their challenging situation.
Dr. John Wilson
Dr. John Wilson, the physician, plays a pivotal role in the tenement by assisting in the delivery of Mrs. Buchanan's baby, marking a significant moment of joy amidst the prevailing tension and drama.
