The Pit · Character

Samuel Gretry

A Chicago broker whose firm's suspension rattles the market and whose losses ripple through the lives of everyone connected to Jadwin's speculations.

supporting

Also known as Sam, Gretry, Samuel, Sam Gretry

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in The Pit, Samuel Gretry is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as part of the social and business circles.

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Gretry belongs to the tight circle of brokers and businessmen around Jadwin, his fortunes rising and falling with the wheat market's tides. When his house suspends, eighteen other Chicago firms fail the next day, and the shock reaches even the domestic letters between the Dearborn sisters. He is the human face of the speculative machinery that will eventually swallow Jadwin himself, a reminder that the Pit's casualties are counted in friendships as well as fortunes.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Samuel Gretry sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Samuel Gretry in i

Character Web

25 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Other

Character groups

Core Social Circle
Background Servants and Traders
Protagonist

+20 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
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it reveals the psychological breaking point of Jadwin, who has shift…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Laura Jadwin
professional · neutral
Samuel Gretry is a business associate of Curtis Jadwin, and Laura interacts with him… How this plays out →
Laura Dearborn
social · neutral
Laura Jadwin
professional · neutral
Samuel Gretry is a business associate of Curtis Jadwin, and Laura interacts with him… How this plays out →
Laura Dearborn
social · neutral
Laura Jadwin
professional · neutral
Samuel Gretry is a business associate of Curtis Jadwin, and Laura interacts with him… How this plays out →
Laura Dearborn
social · neutral

Laura Jadwin
Samuel Gretry is a business associate of Curtis Jadwin, and Laura interacts with him primarily in the context of her husband's financial world.
Laura Dearborn
Laura Dearborn knows Samuel Gretry as a peripheral figure in Chicago's business and social circles, with no deep personal connection.
Laura Jadwin
Samuel Gretry is a business associate of Curtis Jadwin, and Laura interacts with him primarily in the context of her husband's financial world.
Laura Dearborn
Laura Dearborn knows Samuel Gretry as a peripheral figure in Chicago's business and social circles, with no deep personal connection.
Laura Jadwin
Samuel Gretry is a business associate of Curtis Jadwin, and Laura interacts with him primarily in the context of her husband's financial world.
Laura Dearborn
Laura Dearborn knows Samuel Gretry as a peripheral figure in Chicago's business and social circles, with no deep personal connection.

Relationship notes

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

See Samuel Gretry in i

In the story

Samuel Gretry appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Principal Characters in the Novel
Introduced as a broker.
The Pit
Mentioned as part of the social and business circles.
Chapter III
Gretry persuades Jadwin to speculate, emphasizing the opportunity from a crop report and the top-heavy market, and handles the trade.
Chapter VI
Gretry collaborates with Jadwin on speculative deals and advises caution, but Jadwin overrules him.
Chapter VII
Jadwin's broker, discusses market conditions and the government report with Jadwin.
Chapter IX
Gretry's office becomes Jadwin's headquarters, besieged by reporters and others seeking the great man.
Chapter X
Jadwin's broker, who warns of the financial strain and the danger of the Pit turning against them, but ultimately agrees to support Jadwin's aggressive strategy.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Samuel Gretry in i

See Samuel Gretry in The Pit