# Alma Leighton — A Hazard of New Fortunes character guide

> Alma Leighton in A Hazard of New Fortunes by William Dean Howells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Alma, Miss Alma, Leighton

**First appearance:** 0001-a-hazard-of-new-fortunes

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-i)

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

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-ii)

Shows her sketches to Miss Woodburn and discusses her art studies with Mr. Wetmore.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-iv)

Miss Woodburn fetches her; she hesitates on the stairs before going down to see Beaton.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-v)

Deliberately acts distant and forgetful toward Beaton to assert her independence and avoid appearing dependent on his friendship.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-x)

Receives Beaton coldly, treats their interaction as purely business, and shows no romantic interest in him.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-xiv)

Sketches Miss Woodburn and asserts control over her artwork, refusing to let it be printed.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-second-xv)

Discusses her changed feelings toward Beaton and her commitment to her art.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-iv)

Engages in a critical conversation with Beaton about his behavior and the Dryfooses.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-third-v)

Alma is discussed by Beaton; he admires her talent and independence, and reflects on their relationship.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fourth-iii)

Seems harassed by Beaton's attention; March and Mrs. March discuss her composure.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-i)

Firmly rejects Beaton's advances, asserting her dedication to a life of art and independence; she is perceptive and unyielding.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xii)

Attends Lindau's funeral with her mother; brings a small bunch of flowers that are lost among Dryfoos's lavish arrangements.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xiv)

Mentioned in Beaton's reverie as someone who might come to regret rejecting him.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xvi)

Reported to have finally rejected Beaton, a decision March supports but Fulkerson and Mrs. March question.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/chapters/part-fifth-xvii)

Referenced as the one who rejected Beaton, setting his current mood.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters/alma_leighton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_hazard_of_new_fortunes_se/characters