The Able McLaughlins · Character

John Keith

Uncle John Keith and his wife Libby hover over their grown son Peter with a devotion that the neighbors read as the root of his ruin.

supporting

Also known as John Keith, Aunt Libby, Libby, Libby Keith, Uncle John, Uncle John Keith, poor distracted Aunt Libby and Uncle John Keith

First appearance: ii

See John Keith in ii Book page

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With Wully McLaughlin (rivalry): John Keith is a source of conflict for Wully, often opposing him in matters of honor and justice. With Isobel McLaughlin (social): Isobel and John Keith have a tense acquaintance, rooted…

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See John Keith in ii

Character Web

20 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Social
Psychological
Family
Other

Character groups

McLaughlin family and neighbors
Protagonist
Extended family and locals

+15 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

This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak where Wully’s s…

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Relationships

Wully McLaughlin
rivalry · negative
Isobel McLaughlin
social · negative
Chirstie
psychological · negative
Peter Keith
family · ambivalent
Isobel McLaughlin
social · negative
Wully McLaughlin
rivalry · negative
Wully McLaughlin
rivalry · negative
Chirstie
psychological · negative
Peter Keith
family · ambivalent
Chirstie
psychological · negative
Isobel McLaughlin
social · negative

Wully McLaughlin
John Keith is a source of conflict for Wully, often opposing him in matters of honor and justice.
Isobel McLaughlin
Isobel and John Keith have a tense acquaintance, rooted in family feuds and community divisions.
Chirstie
Chirstie is entangled with John Keith in a relationship marked by coercion and emotional distress.
Peter Keith
John and Peter Keith are brothers, bound by blood but often complicit in each other's schemes.
Isobel McLaughlin
Isobel and John Keith have a tense acquaintance, rooted in family feuds and community divisions.
Wully McLaughlin
John Keith is a source of conflict for Wully, often opposing him in matters of honor and justice.
Wully McLaughlin
John Keith is a source of conflict for Wully, often opposing him in matters of honor and justice.
Chirstie
Chirstie is entangled with John Keith in a relationship marked by coercion and emotional distress.
Peter Keith
John and Peter Keith are brothers, bound by blood but often complicit in each other's schemes.
Chirstie
Chirstie is entangled with John Keith in a relationship marked by coercion and emotional distress.
Isobel McLaughlin
Isobel and John Keith have a tense acquaintance, rooted in family feuds and community divisions.

Relationship notes

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

See John Keith in ii

In the story

John Keith appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Homecoming
Not directly present in this chapter.
III
Referred to as Aunt Libby; she is at Chirstie's house when Wully arrives and tries to mediate.
VI
Aunt Libby, distraught over Peter's disappearance, brings walnut chairs as a wedding gift.
IX
Aunt Libby's husband, who searches for Peter in Iowa City and is mentioned in the context of the search.
XV
Aunt Libby; her frantic, anguished search for Peter reveals her deep maternal terror and grief.
XVI
Libby Keith, Peter's mother, is overcome with grief and leads the search through the night, haunted by the memory of wee Jennie Price.
Chapter XVII
Libby's mild husband, unable to offer sufficient support, left blinking and swallowing his own unimportance.
XVIII
Grief-stricken and nearly mad, she wanders calling for Peter and beats a pan through the night.
The Decision to Move to Town
Arrives with his wife Libby; he gently agrees that Bonnie Wee Johnnie resembles their lost son Davie.
XXI
Referred to as Aunt Libby; her feelings and waiting for Peter are a key motivation for Chirstie's insistence on returning.

Chapter companion notes

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See John Keith in ii