Rebecca Rush's Kelroy Portrays Realistic and Romantic Characters

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Recommended: Women and literature

Kelroy is a novel of manners, which means that the book is not as dependent upon plot as it is character. Kelroy explores the difference between the characters who are realists and those who are romantics. The realist characters, Mrs. Hammond and Lucy contrast with the romantic character Emily, in the ways they act and the choices that they make.

Although Kelroy is a novel of manners, the story contains more plot than the other nineteenth century novels in its category. The story begins with Mrs. Hammond finding herself a widow at the age of thirty. She realizes that she is incapable of supporting her family in the men's business capital of Philadelphia, where they live. She devises a plan to find wealthy suitors for her daughters, Lucy and Emily. With good intentions, Mrs. Hammond began throwing numerous parties for her daughters. However, Mrs. Hammond's true motive is to guarantee her own well-being and influence in society. Lucy , the oldest daughter, is very similar to her mother. Although she is physically attractive, she is shallow and realistic. She mee...

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