The Oldest Living Graduate: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Oldest Living Graduate" explores the complex dynamics between several characters centering around Colonel J. C. Kinkaid, a World War I veteran who is now 75 and struggling with senility. The colonel, once a proud military figure, is now bound to a wheelchair and often lost in memories of the past, including feelings of guilt stemming from his elder son Franklin’s death in World War II. His younger son, Floyd Kinkaid, a businessman in Bradleyville, is both frustrated by and caring toward his father, while secretly aiming to exploit the colonel's cherished lake property for a new resort venture. Floyd's wife, Maureen, offers support but is also discontent with their marriage's lack of children and the superficial social life they lead. Other characters, such as Clarence Sickenger, Floyd's unscrupulous business partner, and Mike Tremaine, the considerate handyman, provide contrasting perspectives on morality and family loyalty. The narrative ultimately highlights themes of legacy, familial obligation, and the struggle between memory and reality, culminating in the colonel's poignant realization of his isolation as the last of his generation.
The Oldest Living Graduate: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Preston Jones
First published: 1976, in A Texas Trilogy
Genre: Play
Locale: West Texas, particularly Bradleyville
Plot: Representational
Time: Summer, 1962
Colonel J. C. Kinkaid, an eccentric World War I veteran and the oldest living graduate of Mirabeau B. Lamar Military Academy. At the age of seventy-five, the colonel is senile, but his lack of touch with reality can be traced back as far as his return from fighting in the war. Bound to a wheelchair, the colonel is dependent on others, particularly his daughter-in-law, Maureen Kinkaid, and he usually greets these people with ill-tempered insults. The colonel slips in and out of reality, sometimes thinking that he is back in the war or talking to his dead elder son, Franklin, whose death in World War II causes him great guilt and some resentment toward his younger son, Floyd. He frequently asks to be driven to view his property by the lake, a site that others consider to be worthless except for the potential development that Floyd is planning secretly with his new business partner. The colonel reveals to the handyman, Mike Tremaine, that the lot was once settled by a French family and that the colonel was very much in love with the daughter. As the oldest living graduate of his military academy, the colonel is approached to be the focus of a large dedication ceremony, organized by Floyd, who intends to exploit the occasion for the predicted publicity and business contacts. In a rare lucid moment, Colonel Kinkaid realizes for the first time what it means that he is the oldest living graduate: that all of his friends are dead. He then withdraws from the ceremony. At the end of the play, the colonel is dying, having suffered a stroke while at a lodge meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia.
Floyd Kinkaid, a powerful businessman in the fictional town of Bradleyville, Texas, and the younger son of Colonel Kinkaid. Described as thin and nervous, Floyd is forty-two years old. He took over the colonel's business interests when his father became unable to manage his own affairs. Because the business runs itself, Floyd has become bored; in addition to expensive hobbies such as horse racing and boating, he looks toward new business ventures for excitement. His goal is to turn the colonel's cherished lake property into a lake-front resort. Not understanding why the colonel will not sell this land, Floyd resorts to obtaining the property secretly by having his father declared legally incompetent. After he discovers that his father is dying, Floyd tells the old man that he will not sell the property after all. Floyd cares for his father but is frustrated by the old man's senility and eccentricity.
Maureen Kinkaid, Floyd's wife. Floyd and Maureen were high school sweethearts, but their courtship was interrupted by World War II; they were married right after he returned. The fact that the marriage has produced no children is a source of conflict between them, but for the most part Maureen loves Floyd and supports him in his business ventures. Maureen is, however, very bored and is disgusted with the superficial and hypocritical country club scene. She has forced Floyd to take vacations to Europe and the Caribbean, trips he hated. Maureen cares for and respects the colonel despite his difficulty. Maureen sees through Floyd's excitement about the ceremony and admonishes him for taking the colonel's property.
Clarence Sickenger, a wealthy businessman and Floyd's new partner. Physically a large man, at forty-three years of age Clarence is shallow and unscrupulous. He does not understand Maureen's objections to Floyd's unethical actions and tells her to think of the pretty things she can buy.
Martha Ann Sickenger, Clarence's wife. A bit wild in high school, Martha Ann flunked out of college after one semester, returned to Bradleyville, and married Clarence, sixteen years her senior. They have two children and appear to be happy, sharing the same superficial interests. Martha Ann loves living in Bradleyville, gossips incessantly, and cannot understand why Maureen puts up with the crabby colonel.
Mike Tremaine, the owner of a small farm and the Kinkaids' hired hand. Mike always treats the colonel with consideration and respect. The colonel likes Mike and remembers going fishing with Mike's father.