An American Tragedy · Character

Thomas Ratterer

A bellhop whose family parlor becomes Clyde's unlikely school of dancing, cards, and girls, teaching the shy newcomer that pleasure has a price.

supporting

Also known as Tommy, Ratterer, Tom

First appearance: i

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

A fellow bellhop and friend who introduces Clyde to the hotel's social scene and fast lifestyle.

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Ratterer is Clyde's co-worker at the Green-Davidson and the doorway to a looser world: his mother's house, where young people pair off under a mother's startling indifference. He is generous, unpretentious, and entirely at home in the easy morals Clyde both craves and secretly disdains. His invitations give Clyde his first taste of courtship and belonging, setting in motion the hungers that will define him.

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See Thomas Ratterer in i

Character Web

37 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Trial and Defense Team
Extended Cast of Lycurgus and Trial

+32 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

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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Relationships

Clyde Griffiths
friendship · positive
Thomas Ratterer is a fellow bellhop and friend from Clyde's early days in Kansas City,… How this plays out →
Clyde Griffiths
friendship · positive
Thomas Ratterer is a fellow bellhop and friend from Clyde's early days in Kansas City,… How this plays out →
Clyde Griffiths
friendship · positive
Thomas Ratterer is a fellow bellhop and friend from Clyde's early days in Kansas City,… How this plays out →

Clyde Griffiths
Thomas Ratterer is a fellow bellhop and friend from Clyde's early days in Kansas City, representing his carefree, hedonistic past.
Clyde Griffiths
Thomas Ratterer is a fellow bellhop and friend from Clyde's early days in Kansas City, representing his carefree, hedonistic past.
Clyde Griffiths
Thomas Ratterer is a fellow bellhop and friend from Clyde's early days in Kansas City, representing his carefree, hedonistic past.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Thomas Ratterer in i

In the story

Thomas Ratterer appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book I
A fellow bellhop and friend who introduces Clyde to the hotel's social scene and fast lifestyle.
IV
A young bellhop at the Green-Davidson Hotel, uniformed in maroon with brass buttons, whom Clyde sees at the bell stand.
VII
A short, stocky, good-looking bellhop who befriends Clyde. He points out a wealthy woman who pursues young men, and shares gossip about the hotel's clientele.
VIII
Ratterer invites Clyde to the monthly 'blowout' at Frissell's and is a friend whose easygoing attitude influences Clyde.
IX
Organizes the dinner, encourages Clyde to join, and tries to ease his nervousness about the brothel visit.
Chapter X
Ratterer is seated with a young girl on his knees, smoking and tapping her slippers to the piano.
Chapter XI
Invites Clyde to his home, introducing him to a circle of free-living youths. He is easygoing and acts as a social conduit for Clyde.
Chapter XII
Mentioned as a coworker who is not at the hotel after six, referenced by Hortense when she explains her delay.
XV
Mentioned as a potential source for borrowing money.
Chapter XVII
Ratterer is relaxed about the stolen car and participates in the outing with his date, Lucille Nickolas.
XIX
Ratterer assists the injured, including Sparser and Laura Sipe, and calls for Clyde's help.
Chapter III
Reunites with Clyde in Chicago, helps him get a job at the Union League Club.
IV
Ratterer, who has charge of the pegboard at the Union League Club, points out Samuel Griffiths to Clyde and jokes about Clyde 'shining up' to his uncle.
XXXIV
Mentioned by Clyde as someone who would know how to handle such a situation, highlighting Clyde's reliance on past acquaintances.
Chapter XXXV
Clyde plans to write to him for advice about Roberta's situation.
XXXVIII
Clyde writes to him for advice but receives no reply, as Ratterer has moved to Florida.

Chapter companion notes

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See Thomas Ratterer in i

See Thomas Ratterer in Book I