# National Avenue — Character guide

> Key figures in National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

- [Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/dan_oliphant.md): The Oliphant son who chafes against his family's genteel expectations and throws himself into business, courtship, and the messy work of becoming his own man.
- [Harlan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/harlan_oliphant.md): Dan's elder brother, all precision and irony, whose cool intelligence and social polish make him both a foil and a quiet reproach to the family's strivers.
- [Lena McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/lena_mcmillan.md): A young woman whose beauty and self-possession unsettle the Oliphant men, drawing desire, rivalry, and the painful question of what she actually wants.
- [Martha Shelby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/martha_shelby.md): An older woman of the household whose plainspoken warmth and long memory steady the Oliphants when their ambitions and tempers run ahead of them.
- [George McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/george_mcmillan.md): A McMillan whose dealings with the Oliphants braid business ambition with social friction, testing where money ends and manners begin.
- [Mrs. Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/mrs_savage.md): An elderly neighbor or relative, often mentioned in domestic contexts.
- [Mr. Shelby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/mr_shelby.md): A dry, older gentleman connected to the Shelby family, appearing in social scenes.
- [Mrs. Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/mrs_oliphant.md): The mother of Dan and Harlan, a quiet presence in the Oliphant household.
- [Sam Kohn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/sam_kohn.md): A young boy or minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance of the family.
- [Fred Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/fred_oliphant.md): One of the Oliphant brothers, gallant and easy in company, whose charm and restlessness keep the family's social weather unpredictable.
- [Grandma Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/grandma_savage.md): An elderly relative, likely the same as Mrs. Savage, appearing in family scenes.
- [Mr. Venable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/mr_venable.md): A notable figure in the community, possibly a professional or artist.
- [Earl of Ornaby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/earl_of_ornaby.md): A titled character referenced in the narrative, possibly a historical or local figure.
- [Miss Shelby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/miss_shelby.md): A Shelby daughter, possibly a romantic interest or social figure.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters