An American Tragedy | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Roberta Alden - She is prettier and more sensitive than most of the "factory girls," but these qualities do not help her prospects in life; her poverty and her position as a factory worker consign her to a low position in society.

Titus Alden - He is a poor farmer who wants revenge for his daughter's death.

Alvin Belknap - Clyde's wealthy uncle, Samuel Griffiths hires him as Clyde's lawyer.

Hortense Briggs - She is an attractive but coarse Kansas City girl who manipulates people to get them to buy things for...
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