An American Tragedy · Character

Samuel Griffiths

The prosperous head of the Griffiths collar factory, who plucks his poor nephew out of Chicago out of family feeling and then watches that kindness turn into catastrophe.

supporting

Also known as Samuel, Mr. Samuel Griffiths, the Griffiths, Mr. Griffiths

First appearance: Book II

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

Samuel is Clyde's wealthy uncle in Lycurgus, a successful collar manufacturer whose riches contrast sharply with Clyde's poverty and fuel Clyde's aspirations.

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Samuel Griffiths is a self-made Lycurgus industrialist, secure in his wealth, his name, and his place among the city's first families. He brings Clyde to Lycurgus out of a half-guilty sense of duty to his estranged brother Asa, then leaves the boy to find his own footing in a factory and a society that will not quite have him. His slow recognition that his own good intentions may have helped set the tragedy in motion gives the story its bitterest family reckoning.

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See Samuel Griffiths in Book II

Character Web

11 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Extended Cast of Lycurgus and Trial
Trial and Defense Team

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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

Samuel Griffiths appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter II
Samuel is Clyde's wealthy uncle in Lycurgus, a successful collar manufacturer whose riches contrast sharply with Clyde's poverty and fuel Clyde's aspirations.
Book II
Clyde's wealthy uncle who gives him a job at the collar factory but keeps him at a social distance.
Chapter I
The husband and father, recently returned from a business conference in Chicago; his preferences and authority are referenced.
II
Returns from Chicago, discusses bringing Clyde to Lycurgus, insists on no special treatment for him.
IV
Samuel Griffiths arrives at the Union League Club in Chicago. He is impressed by Clyde's appearance and ambition, and agrees to give him a position at the collar factory, though with a warning about lower pay.
Chapter V
Samuel is mentioned as the owner of the collar factory and the wealthy uncle whose residence Clyde admires from the street.
VII
Clyde's wealthy uncle, whose reputation and status are a source of both pride and caution for Clyde.
IX
Shows mild interest in Clyde's progress but remains preoccupied; invites Clyde to his home and speaks with him briefly.
Chapter X
Hosts the dinner and shows some kindness to Clyde, but his attitude reinforces the class divide.
Chapter XI
Insists Clyde be moved from the shrinking room to a more dignified position, overruling Gilbert's objections.
Chapter XXX
Defends Clyde's social opportunities, advocating for inclusion to avoid appearing less generous than other families.
V
Clyde's wealthy uncle; his family's social standing complicates the case.
Chapter XII
Initially disbelieving of Clyde's guilt, he instructs his son Gilbert to send Smillie to Bridgeburg to investigate and manage the situation.
Chapter XIII
Struggles with the family crisis, insists on justice and refuses to fund a defense if Clyde is guilty.
XVI
Clyde's uncle who rejects the insanity defense to avoid family disgrace.

Chapter companion notes

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See Samuel Griffiths in Book II

See Samuel Griffiths in Chapter II