# Samuel Gretry — The Pit character guide

> Samuel Gretry in The Pit by Frank Norris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sam, Gretry, Samuel, Sam Gretry

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Laura Jadwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters/laura_jadwin)

_professional_

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters/laura_dearborn)

_social_

Laura Dearborn knows Samuel Gretry as a peripheral figure in Chicago's business and social circles, with no deep personal connection.

### [Laura Jadwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters/laura_jadwin)

_professional_

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters/laura_dearborn)

_social_

Laura Dearborn knows Samuel Gretry as a peripheral figure in Chicago's business and social circles, with no deep personal connection.

### [Laura Jadwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters/laura_jadwin)

_professional_

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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters/laura_dearborn)

_social_

Laura Dearborn knows Samuel Gretry as a peripheral figure in Chicago's business and social circles, with no deep personal connection.

## In the story

### [Principal Characters in the Novel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/principal-characters-in-the-novel)

Introduced as a broker.

### [The Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/the-pit)

Mentioned as part of the social and business circles.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/iii)

Gretry persuades Jadwin to speculate, emphasizing the opportunity from a crop report and the top-heavy market, and handles the trade.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/vi)

Gretry collaborates with Jadwin on speculative deals and advises caution, but Jadwin overrules him.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/vii)

Jadwin's broker, discusses market conditions and the government report with Jadwin.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/ix)

Gretry's office becomes Jadwin's headquarters, besieged by reporters and others seeking the great man.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/chapters/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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters/samuel_gretry
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_se/characters