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Three Lives · Character

Jem Richards

A gambler who becomes Melanctha's lover after Jeff, offering her excitement and trouble in equal measure while treating her with careless cruelty.

supporting

Also known as Jem

First appearance: melanctha

As a supporting figure in Three Lives, Jem Richards is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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Jem Richards is a gambler in Bridgepoint who takes up with Melanctha Herbert after her long, exhausting affair with Jeff Campbell. Where Jeff was earnest and analytical, Jem is careless, restless, and casually unkind —…

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

See Jem Richards in melanctha

Character Web

5 connections

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

BABabyMDMrs. DrehtenMHMelanctha Herb…RJRose JohnsonSJSam JohnsonJRJem Richards

Relationship types

  • Romantic
  • Other

Character groups

  • Melanctha's later lovers
  • Anna's domestic circle
  • Melanctha's social circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupClimax
  • Setup
  • Breaking point

In this excerpt, the narrative climax occurs as Lena’s passive, uncomplaining patience is pushed to its emotio…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

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

See Jem Richards in melanctha