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Short Fiction · Character

Hank

A recurring name across Lardner's stories, usually a ballplayer or small-town fellow whose romantic schemes outrun his nerve.

supporting

Also known as Henry, Harris, Harry Hart, Harry, Hart, Harrison, Harry Riker

First appearance: my roomy

As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Hank is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Harry Hart, the protagonist, a composer whose success goes to his head, leading to professional and personal ruin.
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Hank turns up in different guises, but the type is consistent: a decent sort, half in love with a girl he can't quite bring himself to properly court, and half in love with the sound of his own complaints. He is the…

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See Hank in my roomy

Character Web

60 connections

A slice of how Hank sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SMSmittyBBBen BrainardAIAlibi IkeJGJack GraceCACareyHAHank

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Baseball and Social Circles
  • Protagonist

+55 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological peak of the crowd’s self-deception, where their…

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In the story

Hank appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Hank unlock in the free preview.

See Hank in my roomy