An American Tragedy

The narrator introduces the family of Samuel Griffiths of Lycurgus, New York. Samuel made a fortune as a shirt-collar manufacturer after getting both his portion and Asa’s from the family estate; their father disowned Asa. Elizabeth, his wife, is a placid woman. Samuel has a studious older daughter, Myra, and a younger, more socially active daughter, Bella. Elizabeth isn’t pleased that Bella spends so much time with the children of new money in town, including the Cranstons and Finchleys. Elizabeth deplores their flashy clothes, cars, and homes. Gilbert Griffiths is the only son and works in the family business. He is much older than his sisters and is an arrogant man.

It is two years after the car accident. Samuel tells his family over dinner that he met his nephew, Clyde Griffiths, who is working as a bellhop in a Chicago club. Clyde looks so much like Gilbert. Clyde told Samuel that Asa and his family have moved to Denver to run a hotel (this is a lie). With the family’s approval, Samuel wants to give Clyde a menial position in his factory and see how he does.