# Thomas Ratterer — An American Tragedy character guide

> Thomas Ratterer in An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tommy, Ratterer, Tom

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

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

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

_friendship_

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

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

_friendship_

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

## In the story

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

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

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/iv)

A young bellhop at the Green-Davidson Hotel, uniformed in maroon with brass buttons, whom Clyde sees at the bell stand.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/viii)

Ratterer invites Clyde to the monthly 'blowout' at Frissell's and is a friend whose easygoing attitude influences Clyde.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/ix)

Organizes the dinner, encourages Clyde to join, and tries to ease his nervousness about the brothel visit.

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

Ratterer is seated with a young girl on his knees, smoking and tapping her slippers to the piano.

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

Mentioned as a coworker who is not at the hotel after six, referenced by Hortense when she explains her delay.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned as a potential source for borrowing money.

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

Ratterer is relaxed about the stolen car and participates in the outing with his date, Lucille Nickolas.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xix)

Ratterer assists the injured, including Sparser and Laura Sipe, and calls for Clyde's help.

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

Reunites with Clyde in Chicago, helps him get a job at the Union League Club.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Mentioned by Clyde as someone who would know how to handle such a situation, highlighting Clyde's reliance on past acquaintances.

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

Clyde plans to write to him for advice about Roberta's situation.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Clyde writes to him for advice but receives no reply, as Ratterer has moved to Florida.

## Links

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