# Luke Gant — Look Homeward, Angel character guide > Luke Gant in Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Luke, V Luke, Bighearted Unselfish Luke, Old Luke, Luke Gant **First appearance:** 0003-look-homeward-angel ## Snapshot A big-hearted, simple older brother who sells his way through life with a grin, unable to grasp the change and growth that haunt the family. ## Who they are Luke Gant is the Gant brother who peddles goods with a salesman's cheer and a boy's confusion, staring at his framed baby picture and feeling his own existence slip. He does not understand change or growth, and the ghostly ticking of his life frightens him more than he can say. His uncomplicated affection and his inability to hold onto the past make him the family's gentle counterweight to Eugene's tormented self-consciousness. ## Relationships ### [Eugene Gant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters/eugene_gant) _family_ Luke is Eugene's older brother, a boisterous and often crude figure who both bullies and bonds with Eugene in a typical sibling rivalry. ### [Eliza Gant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters/eliza_gant) _family_ Eliza and Luke have a contentious relationship, with Luke often defying her authority and pursuing his own reckless path. ### [Eugene Gant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters/eugene_gant) _family_ Luke is Eugene's older brother, a boisterous and often crude figure who both bullies and bonds with Eugene in a typical sibling rivalry. ### [Eugene Gant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters/eugene_gant) _family_ Luke is Eugene's older brother, a boisterous and often crude figure who both bullies and bonds with Eugene in a typical sibling rivalry. ### [Eliza Gant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters/eliza_gant) _family_ Eliza and Luke have a contentious relationship, with Luke often defying her authority and pursuing his own reckless path. ### [Eliza Gant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters/eliza_gant) _family_ Eliza and Luke have a contentious relationship, with Luke often defying her authority and pursuing his own reckless path. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Last child, born in 1894. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Eugene's brother, who is ill with typhoid and later chants a playful Latin phrase during Sunday dinner. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Grinning and watchful during Gant's tirades, participates in the family's comic enjoyment. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Mentioned as the youngest sibling before Eugene, six years older, part of the 'child-herd' that teases Eugene. ### [The Paradox of Generosity and the Burden of Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-i-x) Luke is portrayed as 'Bighearted Unselfish Luke,' desperate for esteem and affection. He performs generosity publicly, resents Eugene's introspection, and parrots his father's sentimental sermons without understanding their hypocrisy. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Left floating in limbo; practiced 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' and sang in High School Minstrels. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii) Luke is inseparable from Helen, sharing her extraversion and need to serve; he drives the family car erratically, causing chaos and terror. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-ii-xx) Mentioned as absent, along with Helen, during Gant's decline. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi) Luke fidgets nervously, bursts into laughter at Annie's refusal, and prongs her ribs. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii) Greets Hugh Barton with enthusiasm; comments on advertising and psychology. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxi) Has gone away to the training-school at Newport. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxii) Joins Ben in attacking Eugene during the fight; accuses Eugene of lacking appreciation. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxv) Helps support Gant up the stairs and whispers nervously to Eugene before he enters the sickroom. ### [Chapter XXXVI: The Morning After Ben's Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxvi) Accompanies Eugene to the funeral parlor, selects a casket with Horse Hines, and grieves briefly over Ben's body. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxix) Appointed executor of Gant's will, engages in bitter conflict with Steve over inheritance. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters/luke_gant - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/characters