Vivian Morris

Vivian Morris is the central character of the novel and she is also the narrator. The story of City of Girls is actually Vivian's attempt to explain to Frank's daughter, Angela, the nature of their relationship. As such, Vivian begins her explanation by flashing back to her first time moving to New York City and carries readers all the way through to her old age, which is the narrative present of the novel.

Vivian is nineteen years old when she moves to New York. She is pretty, privileged, and immediately drawn to the showgirl lifestyle that people like Celia Ray are living. She lives a sexually free life beginning with the loss of her virginity within her first week in New York City, and she continues to embody that sexual autonomy throughout her life. Ironically, Vivian is both independent and desperately reliant on those around her. A...