Biographies of the Main Characters
Mac J.W. Moorehouse Janey Eleanor Stoddard Charlie
Mac embodies the soul of the little man in society who struggles against oppressing odds. He fights against the social forces that strive to hamper him. Eventually, Mac attempts to free himself from the enslavement of capitalism. He strikes out on his own, joining the socialist movement in Mexico in order to try to make a difference in his world; by the end of the novel, however, little about Mac or his world has really changed..
J.W. Moorehouse is the embodiment of capitalism. His life, time, and energy all focus on his progression to the highest pinnacle of wealthy society. Marrying only to further his career and gain financial capital, Moorehouse's life is consumed by gaining capital and creating an empire. He has no emotions except the drive to be better than the next person, the next businessman, and the next aristocrat, by any means available.
Janey is never satisfied with her life. She grapples to find her place in a society only beginning to offer inroads to single women, eventually becoming Moorehouse's secretary.
Eleanor Stoddard strives to live the lifestyle of the upper crust. She is not attracted to men and prefers to contemplate the possibilities of bettering herself socially. Her desire to be part of high society forces her to seek company with only the elite, ignoring the presence of all others. She is able to play this role by becoming Moorehouse's mental mistress.
Charlie values education and makes it his priority to get into engineering school--though he never does. He is motivated to be something more than the previous generations of his family, and he moves from place to place to find the perfect life. Although he does not wish to accept society’s barriers, he discovers in his search for a meaningful life that each place is exactly the same as the one before. He finally enlists to be an ambulance driver in the war.