Uneasy Money · Character

Nutty Boyd

Elizabeth's flighty younger brother, a Broadway spendthrift whose drinking has summoned a hallucinated monkey and emptied the family purse.

supporting

Also known as Nutty, darling Nutty, the infatuated Nutty, the appalled Nutty, the repentant Nutty

First appearance: Uneasy Money

As a supporting figure in Uneasy Money, Nutty Boyd is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Elizabeth's brother, whose carefree attitude highlights the theme of money and class.

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Nutty has been living it up in New York on money that was never really his, playing host to horse leeches until his Uncle Ira's will played him false. His drinking has produced a vivid imaginary monkey that climbs wardrobes and crosses carpets, and his repentance is as theatrical as his extravagance. He is the prodigal whose return—and whose terror of Eustace the monkey—anchors the Boyd household's comic and financial stakes.

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Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Central romantic entanglements
Nutcombe fortune and estate
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Bill’s shame and self-loathing upon waking—his conviction that he is a “shallow, coarse-fibered” person for sl…

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Relationships

Elizabeth Boyd
family · positive
Elizabeth is Nutty's sister, often exasperated by his irresponsible behavior but… How this plays out →
Lord Dawlish
friendship · positive
Elizabeth Boyd
family · positive
Elizabeth is Nutty's sister, often exasperated by his irresponsible behavior but… How this plays out →
Lord Dawlish
friendship · positive
Lord Dawlish
friendship · positive
Elizabeth Boyd
family · positive
Elizabeth is Nutty's sister, often exasperated by his irresponsible behavior but… How this plays out →

Elizabeth Boyd
Elizabeth is Nutty's sister, often exasperated by his irresponsible behavior but ultimately caring.
Lord Dawlish
Lord Dawlish tolerates Nutty's schemes and treats him with amused goodwill, almost like a brother.
Elizabeth Boyd
Elizabeth is Nutty's sister, often exasperated by his irresponsible behavior but ultimately caring.
Lord Dawlish
Lord Dawlish tolerates Nutty's schemes and treats him with amused goodwill, almost like a brother.
Lord Dawlish
Lord Dawlish tolerates Nutty's schemes and treats him with amused goodwill, almost like a brother.
Elizabeth Boyd
Elizabeth is Nutty's sister, often exasperated by his irresponsible behavior but ultimately caring.

Relationship notes

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In the story

Nutty Boyd appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Uneasy Money
Elizabeth's brother, whose carefree attitude highlights the theme of money and class.
V
Devastated by the inheritance news; he is only left a hundred dollars while Lord Dawlish inherits the rest. He later escapes to New York.
VI
Visits Lord Dawlish looking for Gates, invites him to supper, and reveals his identity as Elizabeth's brother.
VII
Nutty is also at Riegelheimer's, having secured a table for a supper party. His gloom is melting as he orders a second bottle of wine.
Chapter VIII
Hosts a night of partying, learns Bill's true identity, and invites him to the bee farm.
IX
Suffers from a hangover after his New York revels, is confronted by Elizabeth for his irresponsible behavior and for bringing Bill to the farm.
XI
Observes Bill and Elizabeth's growing closeness with hopeful anticipation, imagining a wedding, though his behavior is misinterpreted as nervous spasms.
XIV
Secretly drinks rye highballs after dinner, sees a monkey (Eustace) and believes it is a hallucination, vows to quit drinking and take cold baths.
Chapter XIX
Mentioned as the brother who invited Bill to the bee farm.
Chapter XXI
Nutty is heard speaking excitedly upstairs about five million dollars that 'ought to have come to' someone, which Bill overhears.
XXII
Gone for a walk; returns cheerful; learns Bill has left and Elizabeth will not marry him; collapses in despair on the steps.
XXIII
Moans about losing a wealthy brother-in-law and faces a bleak future on the farm.
XXIV
Initially hostile, then overjoyed at the news of the new will, and invites Nichols for bread and butter and water.
XXV
Nutty is mentioned in Elizabeth's plan to cautiously give him some of the inheritance money.

Chapter companion notes

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