"Rat Bohemia" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

Ellen Gersh is the protagonist of "Rat Bohemia." She is a young lesbian woman who works as a temp and lives in New York City's East Village. Jack Waters is Ellen's love interest and a renowned photographer. Ginger, Luke, Jean Genet, Louise, Martin, Carla, Dorothy, Tony, George, Patty, Eddie, and Missy are all friends and acquaintances of Ellen who provide support and form her social circle.

Character Descriptions

• Ellen Gersh: Ellen is a passionate and intelligent woman in her late twenties. She is artistic and has a deep love for literature and music. She is described as having short dark hair, glasses, and an androgynous appearance.
• Jack Waters: Jack is a charismatic and captivating photographer who becomes Ellen's love interest. He is often seen as mysterious and enigmatic, with a rugged and bohemian style.
• Ginger: Ginger is one of Ellen's closest friends. She is a lively and outgoing woman with a bold personality and a vibrant fashion sense.
• Luke: Luke is another friend of Ellen's. He is an aspiring actor who is struggling to find success in his career. He is described as sensitive and introspective.
• Jean Genet: Jean Genet is a real-life literary figure who appears in the book as a ghostly presence. He serves as a mentor and source of inspiration for Ellen.
• Louise: Louise is Ellen's landlord, and they share a complex relationship. She is portrayed as a strict and unsympathetic woman who often clashes with Ellen.
• Martin: Martin is a friend and former lover of Ellen's. He is a writer and shares Ellen's passion for literature. He is depicted as introspective and brooding.
• Carla: Carla is a friend who works as a bartender. She is described as a free spirit with a carefree attitude and a love for partying.
• Dorothy: Dorothy is a friend who is deeply involved in activism and social justice causes. She is passionate and outspoken about her beliefs.
• Tony: Tony is a friend who works as a musician. He is laid-back and easygoing, often providing a sense of calm in the group.
• George: George is a friend who runs a bookstore. He is knowledgeable about literature and often engages in intellectual conversations with Ellen and others.
• Patty: Patty is a friend and former roommate of Ellen's. She is portrayed as a no-nonsense woman with a practical and straightforward approach to life.
• Eddie: Eddie is a friend who works as a performance artist. He is known for his avant-garde and unconventional art pieces.
• Missy: Missy is a friend who works as a hairstylist. She is depicted as stylish and fashionable, always up-to-date with the latest trends.

Character Traits

• Ellen Gersh: Intelligent, passionate, artistic, androgynous, introspective.
• Jack Waters: Charismatic, mysterious, rugged, bohemian.
• Ginger: Lively, outgoing, bold, vibrant.
• Luke: Sensitive, introspective, aspiring actor.
• Jean Genet: Ghostly, mentor, inspiring.
• Louise: Strict, unsympathetic, complex relationship with Ellen.
• Martin: Introspective, brooding, writer.
• Carla: Free-spirited, carefree, bartender.
• Dorothy: Activist, passionate, outspoken.
• Tony: Laid-back, easygoing, musician.
• George: Knowledgeable, intellectual, runs a bookstore.
• Patty: No-nonsense, practical, former roommate of Ellen.
• Eddie: Avant-garde, unconventional, performance artist.
• Missy: Stylish, fashionable, hairstylist.

Character Background

Ellen Gersh, the protagonist of "Rat Bohemia," is a young lesbian woman living in New York City's East Village. She works as a temp to support herself and is passionate about art, literature, and music. Ellen's background is not extensively explored in the book, but it is implied that she comes from a middle-class family and has had to navigate her identity and sexuality in a world that doesn't always accept her.

Character Arcs

Throughout "Rat Bohemia," Ellen goes through a significant character arc as she navigates her personal and artistic journey. At the beginning of the book, she is struggling with feelings of isolation and a sense of disconnection from the world around her. As the story progresses, Ellen begins to find solace and inspiration in her friendships and artistic pursuits. She becomes more confident in expressing herself and embracing her identity as a lesbian woman.

Relationships

Ellen's relationships with the various characters in "Rat Bohemia" play a crucial role in her character development. Her friendship with Ginger provides her with a sense of companionship and support, while her romantic involvement with Jack Waters pushes her to explore her desires and confront her fears. Jean Genet's ghostly presence serves as a guiding force for Ellen, inspiring her artistic pursuits and pushing her to embrace her true self.

Ellen's relationships with other friends like Luke, Martin, Carla, Dorothy, Tony, George, Patty, Eddie, and Missy also contribute to her growth and provide a sense of community. Each friendship offers a unique dynamic and contributes to Ellen's understanding of herself and the world around her.

In addition to her friendships, Ellen's complex relationship with her landlord Louise adds tension to the story. The clashes between them highlight the challenges that Ellen faces as a queer woman in a society that often marginalizes and misunderstands her.

Overall, the relationships in "Rat Bohemia" serve as a backdrop against which Ellen's character is shaped and transformed. They provide her with a support system, inspiration, and a sense of belonging in a world that can be isolating and hostile for those who exist outside societal norms.