An American Tragedy · Character

Asa Griffiths

Clyde's father, a devout mission preacher whose threadbare faith and shuffling indecision stand in quiet contrast to his wife's harder, more embittered piety.

supporting

Also known as Asa, Mrs. Griffiths, Mrs. Asa Griffiths

First appearance: Book I

As a supporting figure in An American Tragedy, Asa Griffiths is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Clyde's father, a poor and devout street preacher who struggles to support his family.

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Asa Griffiths runs a Kansas City mission with his wife, raising Clyde and three other children in a world of hymns, handouts, and chronic want. When his daughter Esta's scandal breaks, he paces and mutters 'Tst! Tst!' while his wife seizes the letter and retreats to a back room, leaving him visibly the weaker, more stricken of the two. His inability to convert faith into practical rescue of his own family is the first hard lesson Clyde absorbs about the uselessness of virtue without money.

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See Asa Griffiths in Book I

Character Web

6 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Extended Cast of Lycurgus and Trial
Trial and Defense Team
Factory and Hotel Acquaintances

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as Clyde, isolated in the death house, is forced…

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In the story

Asa Griffiths appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book I
Clyde's father, a poor and devout street preacher who struggles to support his family.
I
The father, a short, stout, unimportant-looking man who carries the organ and preaches with weak conviction.
Chapter II
Asa is Clyde's father, a poorly integrated and impractical religious enthusiast who runs street missions and is unable to provide for his family.
Chapter III
Futilely searches for Esta and interjects religious platitudes, appearing inadequate and weak.
IV
Clyde's father, a street preacher, opposes worldly amusements like theater and movies, which Clyde secretly attends.
VI
Naively assumes the hotel work is simple and low-paying, unaware of the moral and social changes Clyde is undergoing.
Chapter XXVII
Asa is present but says little, unable to grasp the full meaning of the situation.
Chapter: XXX
Asa is ill in Denver, requiring financial support from his wife, which diverts funds from Clyde's appeal.
XXXI
Ill in Denver; Mrs. Griffiths nurses him while seeking aid for Clyde.
Souvenir
The elderly, feeble street preacher who carries the organ and leads the sermon.

Chapter companion notes

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See Asa Griffiths in Book I