"Clock Without Hands" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In Carson McCullers' novel "Clock Without Hands," the characters play various roles that contribute to the overall narrative. The main characters are John Carr, Sherman Pew, Jester Clane, Wister Clane, Judge Clane, Mama Clane, Dr. T. J. Merrick, Nurse Merrick, Sherman Pew's Father, and Sherman Pew's Mother. Each character adds depth and complexity to the story, reflecting the societal issues and themes explored by the author.

Character Descriptions

• John Carr: He is the protagonist of the novel, a middle-aged white man who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Carr works as a pharmacist and is initially detached from the world around him.
• Sherman Pew: A young black man who becomes Carr's assistant at the pharmacy. He is portrayed as naive and innocent, trying to navigate the complexities of racial segregation in the 1950s American South.
• Jester Clane: The estranged son of Judge Clane and the half-brother of Wister Clane. Jester is a troubled and rebellious character who represents the disillusionment of the younger generation.
• Wister Clane: The son of Judge Clane and the half-brother of Jester Clane. He is portrayed as a more conventional and conformist character, striving for success within the societal norms.
• Judge Clane: A prominent white judge who is facing his own mortality. He embodies the racist attitudes prevalent in the South during that era.
• Mama Clane: The elderly and sickly mother of Jester and Wister Clane. She is portrayed as a fragile and somewhat delusional character.
• Dr. T. J. Merrick: A racist physician who is Carr's doctor. He represents the medical establishment's indifference towards racial equality.
• Nurse Merrick: Dr. Merrick's wife, who works as a nurse. She is sympathetic towards Carr and becomes a source of comfort for him.
• Sherman Pew's Father: A black preacher who is influential in the community. He represents the struggle for civil rights and social justice.
• Sherman Pew's Mother: A supportive and nurturing figure in Sherman's life. She encourages him to pursue his dreams despite the racial prejudices he faces.

Character Traits

• John Carr: Initially detached and apathetic, Carr undergoes a transformation as he faces his mortality. He becomes introspective, questioning his beliefs and the racial inequality he witnesses.
• Sherman Pew: Innocent, kind-hearted, and hopeful, Sherman represents the potential for change and the desire for equality, even in the face of discrimination.
• Jester Clane: Rebellious, disillusioned, and frustrated, Jester embodies the angst of the younger generation and challenges the status quo.
• Wister Clane: Ambitious, conformist, and eager to please, Wister represents the youth who conform to societal expectations, even if it means compromising their beliefs.
• Judge Clane: Racist, stubborn, and unyielding, the Judge symbolizes the deeply ingrained prejudice and segregation of the South.
• Mama Clane: Fragile, delusional, and nostalgic, Mama Clane represents a fading era and the longing for a time when racial tensions were not as prevalent.
• Dr. T. J. Merrick: Arrogant, racist, and dismissive, Dr. Merrick embodies the systemic racism present in the medical profession.
• Nurse Merrick: Compassionate, empathetic, and caring, Nurse Merrick provides emotional support to Carr and challenges the racial prejudices of her husband.
• Sherman Pew's Father: Inspirational, determined, and influential, Sherman Pew's father represents the fight for civil rights and equality.
• Sherman Pew's Mother: Loving, supportive, and protective, Sherman Pew's mother encourages her son to pursue his dreams despite the obstacles he faces.

Character Background

• John Carr: A white man in his forties, Carr leads a somewhat lonely and detached life. He is unmarried and has no close family ties. His diagnosis of a terminal illness forces him to confront his past and reevaluate his beliefs.
• Sherman Pew: A young black man in his twenties, Sherman comes from a modest background. He aspires to make a difference in the world but faces constant discrimination and limited opportunities due to his race.
• Jester Clane: The son of Judge Clane and a former soldier, Jester struggles with his identity and rebels against the societal expectations placed upon him.
• Wister Clane: The younger son of Judge Clane, Wister aims to succeed within the existing power structure and uphold the family's reputation.
• Judge Clane: A respected judge in the community, Judge Clane is deeply entrenched in the racist ideologies of the time. He is facing his mortality and reflects on his life choices.
• Mama Clane: An elderly woman living in the past, Mama Clane reminisces about a time when racial tensions were not as prominent. She is frail and often confused.
• Dr. T. J. Merrick: A prominent physician in the community, Dr. Merrick holds racist beliefs and perpetuates the discrimination faced by black individuals seeking medical care.
• Nurse Merrick: Married to Dr. Merrick, Nurse Merrick is sympathetic to Carr's struggles and challenges her husband's prejudices.
• Sherman Pew's Father: A black preacher, Sherman Pew's father fights for civil rights and equality in the community.
• Sherman Pew's Mother: Supportive and nurturing, Sherman Pew's mother encourages her son to overcome the obstacles he faces due to his race.

Character Arcs

• John Carr: Carr's character arc revolves around his journey from apathy and detachment to introspection and a deeper understanding of racial inequality. Facing his mortality prompts him to question his beliefs and confront the racial injustices he witnesses.
• Sherman Pew: Sherman's character arc portrays his growth from innocence and naivety to a deeper understanding of the racial discrimination he faces. He becomes more determined to fight for equality and make a difference.
• Jester Clane: Jester's character arc showcases his rebellion against societal expectations and his search for personal identity. He challenges the established norms and seeks to find his own path.
• Wister Clane: Wister's character arc highlights his struggle to balance societal expectations with his own desires. He grapples with the conflict between conformity and personal fulfillment.
• Judge Clane: The Judge's character arc explores his reflection on his life choices and his eventual confrontation with his own mortality. He is forced to confront the consequences of his racist beliefs.
• Mama Clane: Mama Clane's character arc portrays her decline in health and her clinging to a nostalgic past. Her character reflects the fading era and the longing for a time when racial tensions were not as prevalent.
• Dr. T. J. Merrick: Dr. Merrick's character arc reveals the consequences of his racist beliefs as he faces the challenges posed by Nurse Merrick's empathy and Carr's introspection.
• Nurse Merrick: Nurse Merrick's character arc showcases her growing awareness of racial inequality and her attempts to challenge her husband's prejudices.
• Sherman Pew's Father: Sherman Pew's father's character arc focuses on his fight for civil rights and social justice. He serves as an inspiration to Sherman and represents the possibility of change.
• Sherman Pew's Mother: Sherman Pew's mother's character arc centers around her unwavering support for her son and her encouragement for him to pursue his dreams despite the racial prejudices he faces.

Relationships

• John Carr and Sherman Pew: Carr and Sherman form a unique bond as employer and employee. Through their interactions, Carr begins to question his own prejudices and sees Sherman as an individual deserving of respect and equality.
• Judge Clane and Jester Clane: The strained relationship between Judge Clane and Jester represents the generational divide and the clash of ideologies. Jester's rebellion challenges the Judge's beliefs.
• Judge Clane and Wister Clane: Wister desperately seeks his father's approval and tries to fit into the mold of societal expectations set by the Judge.
• John Carr and Dr. T. J. Merrick: Carr's relationship with Dr. Merrick highlights the indifference and racism that existed within the medical profession during that era.
• John Carr and Nurse Merrick: Nurse Merrick becomes a source of comfort and support for Carr. Their relationship challenges the racial prejudices present in society.
• Sherman Pew and Sherman Pew's Father: Sherman Pew's father serves as a mentor and inspiration to Sherman, guiding him in his fight for civil rights.
• Sherman Pew and Sherman Pew's Mother: Sherman Pew's mother provides unwavering support and encouragement to her son, nurturing his dreams despite the racial barriers he faces.

The characters in "Clock Without Hands" are intricately woven together, each representing different aspects of society, race, and generational conflicts. Through their interactions and character arcs, the novel explores themes of racism, identity, mortality, and the search for personal meaning in a divided world.