Tom Corey

Silas Lapham

Silas hires Tom as a business partner and is impressed by his social standing, while Tom admires Silas's self-made success.

Penelope Lapham

Penelope and Tom fall in love, leading to a complicated courtship that hurts Irene.

Irene Lapham

Irene is initially infatuated with Tom, believing he is courting her, but he ultimately prefers Penelope.

Mrs. Corey

Mrs. Corey is Tom's mother, who is concerned about her son's marriage to a socially inferior family.

Walker

Walker is a clerk in Silas's paint business, working under Tom's supervision.

James Bellingham

James Bellingham is a family friend of the Coreys, moving in the same upper-class social circles.

Silas Lapham

Silas hires Tom as a business partner and is impressed by his social standing, while Tom admires Silas's self-made success.

Silas Lapham

Silas hires Tom as a business partner and is impressed by his social standing, while Tom admires Silas's self-made success.

Penelope Lapham

Penelope and Tom fall in love, leading to a complicated courtship that hurts Irene.

Irene Lapham

Irene is initially infatuated with Tom, believing he is courting her, but he ultimately prefers Penelope.

Irene Lapham

Irene is initially infatuated with Tom, believing he is courting her, but he ultimately prefers Penelope.

Penelope Lapham

Penelope and Tom fall in love, leading to a complicated courtship that hurts Irene.

II

Son of the Corey family; he is grateful to the Laphams and attentive to both Mrs. Lapham and Irene.

IV

Passes by the new house, recognizes Irene, and exchanges greetings with her; later discussed by the Lapham sisters.

V

Returns home and discusses his meeting with the Laphams with his father. He defends Silas Lapham's character and reveals his interest in joining Lapham's business.

VI

Corey visits Lapham's office and proposes to join the mineral paint business, offering his language skills and knowledge of foreign markets. He also interacts with the Lapham family at their summer cottage.

VII

Arrives as Lapham's guest, expresses interest in joining the paint business and expanding into South America, and engages in family conversation.

Chapter VIII

Has spent his first day at Lapham's office, is in good spirits, and defends his decision to his mother.

IX

Works diligently at Lapham's office, handles foreign correspondence, and shows deference to Lapham; meets Irene at the new house and discusses books with her.

Chapter X

Visits the Laphams at Nantasket; walks to the boat afterward, feeling charmed and radiant, clearly smitten with Penelope.

Chapter XI

Discusses with his father the propriety of Bromfield Corey visiting Lapham; defends the Laphams' good sense.

XII

Mentioned as the subject of Mrs. Corey's concern; his involvement with the Laphams and his interest in one of the daughters is the focus of the visit.

XIII

Expresses concern about the dinner but is reassured by his mother; his attitude toward the Laphams is a source of family discussion.

XIV

Seems preoccupied during the dinner; brings word that Mrs. Lapham is ready to leave.

XV

Corey is deeply conflicted, torn between his social pride and his loyalty to Lapham and his love for Penelope. He ultimately decides to stand by Lapham and offer reparation for his earlier lack of sympathy.

XVI

Visits the Lapham house seeking Silas Lapham, but ends up conversing with Penelope about a novel and their feelings.

XVII

Visited the Lapham house the previous evening and proposed to Penelope, but his intentions remain unknown to Lapham.

XVIII

His love for Penelope is confirmed, creating the love triangle that drives the chapter's conflict.

XIX

Visits Penelope to clarify his feelings, explaining he never intended to court Irene and that his admiration was for Penelope all along.

Chapter XX

Confesses his love for Penelope Lapham to his mother, showing anxiety and relief.

XXII

Receives Penelope's note asking him not to visit and obeys without making any sign.

Chapter XXIII

Offers to invest $30,000 in Lapham's business; defends Lapham's character to Walker regarding the Millon incident.

XXIV

Learns from Bellingham about Lapham's financial difficulties and the reason for his refusal of the partnership offer.

Chapter XXVI

Mentioned in Bromfield Corey's thoughts regarding his marriage to Penelope Lapham.

Chapter XXVII

Marries Penelope and moves to Mexico for three years to expand the paint business, leaving his family with a sense of loss.