# Bella Griffiths — An American Tragedy character guide

> Bella Griffiths in An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bella, Arabella, Bella Griffiths

**First appearance:** 0020-book-ii

## Snapshot

Clyde's Lycurgus cousin, a pretty, restless seventeen-year-old chafing at her parents' leash and casually blind to the poor relation hovering at the edge of her world.

## Who they are

Bella is the pampered daughter of the wealthy Griffiths household, impatient to be treated as grown and accustomed to her father's indulgence. She moves easily through the Lycurgus society that Clyde can only glimpse, and her offhand remarks about age and freedom expose the gulf between her world and his. Her presence in the novel measures exactly how far Clyde has climbed and how little the climb has actually bought him.

## Relationships

### [Clyde Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/clyde_griffiths)

_family_

Bella, Clyde's younger sister, shares a distant familial bond with him, caught between family loyalty and the shame of his actions.

### [Clyde Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/clyde_griffiths)

_family_

Bella, Clyde's younger sister, shares a distant familial bond with him, caught between family loyalty and the shame of his actions.

### [Clyde Griffiths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/clyde_griffiths)

_family_

Bella, Clyde's younger sister, shares a distant familial bond with him, caught between family loyalty and the shame of his actions.

## In the story

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/i)

The younger, vivacious daughter who bursts in with news about the Finchleys' summer plans and argues with her mother about social freedom.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/ii)

Curious about Clyde, teases Gilbert about his jealousy.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/vi)

Defends Clyde against Gilbert's harsh judgment, noting that her father may have his own reasons for bringing him.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/x)

Arrives late with Sondra and Bertine, embodying the carefree wealthy youth that Clyde envies.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xii)

Bella is mentioned as appearing in the parade as a float representing spring.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xxvii)

Bella is mentioned as part of the group attending the New Year's Eve party in Schenectady, which will bring news of Clyde's activities to the Griffiths family.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xxviii)

Clyde's cousin; involved in the social outing to Gloversville.

### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xxx)

Reports Clyde's social activities to her mother, prompting the Griffiths to invite him to Christmas dinner.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xxxii)

Mentioned as being driven home after the Amsterdam affair.

### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xxxix)

Mentioned as Clyde's cousin, part of the social circle that accepts him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters/bella_griffiths
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/characters