"Live by Night" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In the book "Live by Night" by Dennis Lehane, the characters play various roles that contribute to the overall plot and themes of the story. The protagonist, Joe Coughlin, is a central figure who undergoes significant character development throughout the novel. Other important characters include Emma Gould, Dion Bartolo, Thomas Coughlin, Graciela Corrales, and Loretta Figgis.

Character Descriptions

• Joe Coughlin: Joe is the main character and narrator of the story. He is a young and ambitious Irish-American who becomes involved in organized crime during the Prohibition era. Joe is described as intelligent, brave, and charismatic. He is driven by a desire for power and success.
• Emma Gould: Emma is a beautiful and enigmatic woman who becomes Joe's love interest. She is a former girlfriend of Albert White, a prominent mobster. Emma is portrayed as independent, strong-willed, and mysterious. Her relationship with Joe is complicated and tumultuous.
• Dion Bartolo: Dion is Joe's loyal best friend and partner in crime. He is a skilled and ruthless enforcer who helps Joe build his criminal empire. Dion is known for his wit, loyalty, and fierce loyalty to Joe.
• Thomas Coughlin: Thomas is Joe's father, a respected police captain who disapproves of his son's criminal activities. He represents law and order in contrast to Joe's life of crime. Thomas is a strict and principled man who struggles with his love for his son and his duty as a police officer.
• Graciela Corrales: Graciela is a Cuban immigrant and the love interest of Joe in later parts of the story. She is a strong and independent woman who runs her family's rum business. Graciela becomes an important ally for Joe as he expands his criminal empire.
• Loretta Figgis: Loretta is the daughter of the local police chief and Joe's love interest in the early part of the story. She is depicted as rebellious and adventurous, eventually getting involved in Joe's criminal activities. Loretta's relationship with Joe adds complexity and tension to the story.

Character Traits

• Joe Coughlin: Intelligent, ambitious, charismatic, brave, determined
• Emma Gould: Beautiful, independent, mysterious, strong-willed
• Dion Bartolo: Loyal, witty, ruthless, skilled
• Thomas Coughlin: Strict, principled, conflicted, loving
• Graciela Corrales: Strong, independent, resourceful, supportive
• Loretta Figgis: Rebellious, adventurous, passionate, conflicted

Character Background

• Joe Coughlin: Joe comes from a well-respected family, but he chooses a life of crime due to his rebellious nature and a desire for power. He is influenced by his father's strict moral code but ultimately decides to follow his own path.
• Emma Gould: Emma grew up in a troubled family and became involved with criminals at a young age. She is drawn to Joe's charm and joins him in his criminal activities, seeking a sense of freedom and excitement.
• Dion Bartolo: Dion is a childhood friend of Joe and shares his ambition for power and success. He has a troubled past and sees organized crime as a way to escape poverty and gain respect.
• Thomas Coughlin: Thomas is a respected police captain who raised Joe with strong moral values. He is torn between his love for his son and his duty to uphold the law.
• Graciela Corrales: Graciela is a Cuban immigrant who comes from a family involved in the rum business. She is driven by a desire to protect her family and preserve her heritage. Graciela becomes a key ally for Joe as he expands his criminal empire.
• Loretta Figgis: Loretta is the daughter of the local police chief and is initially drawn to Joe's rebellious nature. She becomes caught up in his criminal activities, hoping to find excitement and escape the confines of her small-town life.

Character Arcs

• Joe Coughlin: Joe starts as a small-time thief and gradually rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld. He experiences love, loss, and betrayal, which lead him to reevaluate his choices and seek redemption.
• Emma Gould: Emma begins as a mysterious and alluring figure, but her relationship with Joe exposes her vulnerabilities and insecurities. She undergoes personal growth and learns to trust and love again.
• Dion Bartolo: Dion remains fiercely loyal to Joe throughout the story, but his loyalty is tested as their criminal empire faces challenges. He must confront his own moral dilemmas and make difficult choices.
• Thomas Coughlin: Thomas struggles with his conflicting roles as a loving father and a police officer. His relationship with Joe is strained, and he must reconcile his duty to uphold the law with his love for his son.
• Graciela Corrales: Graciela starts as a strong and independent businesswoman, but her relationship with Joe exposes her to danger and forces her to make difficult decisions. She becomes more involved in Joe's criminal activities and must navigate the complexities of their partnership.
• Loretta Figgis: Loretta's involvement with Joe leads her down a dangerous path, challenging her beliefs and forcing her to confront the consequences of her choices. She experiences personal growth and learns the price of living by her own rules.

Relationships

• Joe and Emma: Joe and Emma's relationship is passionate and intense, but it is also fraught with mistrust and betrayal. They are drawn to each other but struggle to find stability amidst the chaos of their criminal lives.
• Joe and Dion: Joe and Dion have a deep bond of friendship and trust. They rely on each other in times of danger and work together to build their criminal empire. Their loyalty is tested as they face challenges and adversaries.
• Joe and Thomas: Joe's relationship with his father is strained due to their conflicting roles as a criminal and a police officer. Thomas loves his son but struggles to accept the choices Joe has made.
• Joe and Graciela: Joe and Graciela's relationship evolves from a business partnership to a romantic one. They share a common goal of success and survival, but their relationship is complicated by their criminal activities and the dangers they face.
• Joe and Loretta: Joe and Loretta's relationship is initially driven by mutual attraction and a desire for adventure. As they become more involved in criminal activities, their relationship becomes strained, and they must confront the consequences of their actions.

In conclusion, the characters in "Live by Night" by Dennis Lehane play critical roles in driving the plot and exploring themes of power, loyalty, and redemption. Through their relationships and character arcs, they reveal the complexities of human nature and the consequences of choices made in a world of organized crime.