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Alice Adams · Character

Frank Dowling

Husband of Mrs. Dowling, a local man.

minor

Also known as Mr. Dowling, Frank, Mr. Frank Dowling, Dowling

First appearance: ii

Frank Dowling shows up with force in VI. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Argues with his mother, then approaches Alice to ask for a dance.
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In VI: Argues with his mother, then approaches Alice to ask for a dance. Later, in VII: Sits with Alice but is taken away by his mother to…

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See Frank Dowling in ii

Character Web

6 connections

A slice of how Frank Dowling sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

AAAlice AdamsMPMildred PalmerEDElla DowlingARArthur RussellMAMrs. AdamsFDFrank Dowling

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Town's Peripheral Figures
  • Protagonist
  • Alice's Social Circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Alice’s pre…

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In the story

Frank Dowling appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Frank Dowling in ii