The Story of a Bad Boy: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Story of a Bad Boy" explores the adventures and mischief of Tom Bailey Aldrich, a spirited young boy navigating life after his father's death. Set against the backdrop of a coastal town, the narrative introduces a cast of characters that shape Tom's experiences, including his cheery grandfather, Captain Nutter, and his strict Aunt Abigail. Tom's relationships with his peers, such as his friend Sailor Ben and his bullying rival Bill Conway, highlight the complexities of childhood friendships and rivalries. The story also touches on themes of loss and resilience, particularly illustrated through characters like Kitty Collins, a maid with her own troubled past, and Binny Wallace, whose tragic fate underscores the dangers of youth. Other notable figures include the eccentric Silas Trefethen and the shy Mr. Meeks, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Tom's world. This narrative serves as an early example of realistic boys in American fiction, reflecting both the innocence and mischief of youth. Readers interested in character-driven stories about childhood will find "The Story of a Bad Boy" a compelling exploration of growing up.
The Story of a Bad Boy: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Thomas Bailey Aldrich
First published: 1869, serial; 1870, book; illustrated
Genre: Domestic realism
Locale: Rivermouth (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
Plot: Regional
Time: The first half of the nineteenth century
Tom Bailey Aldrich, the narrator, a banker's son, mischievous, high-spirited, and adventurous. After his father's death and Mrs. Aldrich's move to New York, Tom is employed in his uncle's counting house. Tom is a literary forerunner of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and other realistic boys in American fiction.
Captain Nutter, his hale and cheery grandfather.
Miss Abigail, the captain's prim and strict sister who keeps house for him and abhors the odor of tobacco.
Kitty Collins, the Nutter maid, a young Irish woman deserted by her sailor husband, who finally returns to live with her in a seaside cottage.
Bill Conway, Tom's bullying enemy.
Seth Rodgers, another enemy.
Sailor Ben, Tom's friend and Kitty's husband, who shows Tom and his friends how to fire the Trefethen cannon.
Phil Adams, a school friend who teaches Tom how to fight.
Pepper Whitcomb, a friend struck by Tom's misdirected arrow in an amateur production of William Tell.
Binny Wallace, Tom's friend who is drowned in the sinking of a drifting boat during a sea storm.
Mr. Grimshaw, the boys' teacher at the Temple Grammar School.
Charley Marden, a schoolboy who almost strangles when a torpedo explodes in school.
Ezra Wingate, a neighbor whose old stagecoach is burned by the boys in a bonfire and who realizes a handsome profit by collecting damages.
Mr. Meeks, the shy druggist whom the Widow Conway is trying to catch for a husband.
Silas Trefethen, an eccentric buyer of cannon for a war with England that never developed.
Nelly Glentworth, Captain Nutter's young visitor, loved by Tom.