A Hazard of New Fortunes · Character

Alma Leighton

A young art student in Wetmore's class, Alma Leighton sketches, sizes up strangers, and refuses to pretend she isn't counting the cost.

supporting

Also known as Alma, Miss Alma, Leighton

First appearance: a hazard of new fortunes

As a supporting figure in A Hazard of New Fortunes, Alma Leighton is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Alma discusses her artistic ambitions and frustrations with her mother, critiques her own drawings, and reflects on the nature of artists.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

Alma lives with her widowed mother in rooms the Leightons must let to make ends meet, and she studies drawing with a clear eye for both people and prices. When the Virginian Woodburns arrive to rent, she watches Miss Woodburn's homemade bonnet and her own mother's awkwardness with equal precision, half amused, half ashamed. Her frankness about money and ambition—and her friendship with the Marches—gives the novel its sharpest view of women making art on slender means.

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Character Web

18 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Magazine's social network
Minor supporting characters

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the dramatic climax occurs as Beaton confronts the psychological peak of his internal conflic…

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In the story

Alma Leighton appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
II
IV
V
Chapter X
XIV
XV
IV
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I
Alma discusses her artistic ambitions and frustrations with her mother, critiques her own drawings, and reflects on the nature of artists.
II
Shows her sketches to Miss Woodburn and discusses her art studies with Mr. Wetmore.
IV
Miss Woodburn fetches her; she hesitates on the stairs before going down to see Beaton.
V
Deliberately acts distant and forgetful toward Beaton to assert her independence and avoid appearing dependent on his friendship.
Chapter X
Receives Beaton coldly, treats their interaction as purely business, and shows no romantic interest in him.
XIV
Sketches Miss Woodburn and asserts control over her artwork, refusing to let it be printed.
XV
Discusses her changed feelings toward Beaton and her commitment to her art.
IV
Engages in a critical conversation with Beaton about his behavior and the Dryfooses.
V
Alma is discussed by Beaton; he admires her talent and independence, and reflects on their relationship.
III
Seems harassed by Beaton's attention; March and Mrs. March discuss her composure.
I
Firmly rejects Beaton's advances, asserting her dedication to a life of art and independence; she is perceptive and unyielding.
XII
Attends Lindau's funeral with her mother; brings a small bunch of flowers that are lost among Dryfoos's lavish arrangements.
XIV
Mentioned in Beaton's reverie as someone who might come to regret rejecting him.
XV
Alma firmly and finally rejects Beaton, having lost all romantic interest and sympathy for him. She later asserts her independence to her mother, declaring she will pick and choose a partner as a man does, rather than be passively chosen.
XVI
Reported to have finally rejected Beaton, a decision March supports but Fulkerson and Mrs. March question.
XVII
Referenced as the one who rejected Beaton, setting his current mood.

Chapter companion notes

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