BookBrief Logo
The Apartment
Goodreads ratings
3.86 / 5
Add to Your Library

Sign in to save this book to your reading lists

"The Apartment" Characters Analysis

"The Apartment" by Danielle Steel is a poignant story about a woman navigating love, loss, and unexpected challenges as she rebuilds her life in a new city.

Estimated read time: 5 min read

List of Characters

Character NameRole in the StoryBrief Description
Morgan FrankProtagonistA successful art dealer navigating love and personal growth.
Peter HaskellMorgan's BoyfriendA charming and stable partner with a complicated past.
Claire BennettMorgan’s Best FriendSupportive and candid, offers emotional insight and advice.
Julian MoreauRival Art DealerAmbitious and competitive, challenges Morgan professionally.
Sophia MartinezMorgan’s AssistantLoyal, efficient, and observant, helps Morgan manage her life.

Role Identification

CharacterRole TypeNarrative Function
Morgan FrankMain CharacterDrives the story through personal and professional dilemmas.
Peter HaskellSupporting LeadRepresents love interest and emotional conflict.
Claire BennettConfidanteProvides emotional support and perspective.
Julian MoreauAntagonistCreates tension in Morgan's career and personal decisions.
Sophia MartinezSupportingAids in Morgan’s daily challenges and growth.

Character Descriptions

Morgan Frank

Morgan is a dynamic and ambitious woman in her early 30s, thriving in the competitive art world. She is intelligent, independent, and strives to balance her demanding career with her desire for meaningful relationships. Morgan’s journey reflects self-discovery and resilience.

Peter Haskell

Peter is a thoughtful and dependable man, slightly older than Morgan. He values stability and has a history that complicates his relationship with Morgan. His character embodies the struggle between past burdens and the hope for a future together.

Claire Bennett

Claire serves as Morgan’s emotional anchor. She is candid, empathetic, and provides a sounding board for Morgan’s decisions. Claire’s grounded personality contrasts with Morgan’s ambitious nature, highlighting different life approaches.

Julian Moreau

Julian is portrayed as an ambitious and sometimes ruthless art dealer. His competitive nature challenges Morgan both professionally and personally, adding conflict and tension to the narrative.

Sophia Martinez

Sophia is Morgan’s dedicated assistant. She is organized, discreet, and often the voice of reason. Sophia’s presence helps Morgan maintain balance amid chaos, highlighting the importance of support systems.

Character Traits

CharacterKey TraitsImpact on Story
Morgan FrankAmbitious, resilient, introspectiveDrives narrative growth and emotional depth.
Peter HaskellLoyal, conflicted, caringAdds complexity to romantic subplot.
Claire BennettSupportive, honest, empatheticOffers emotional clarity and guidance.
Julian MoreauCompetitive, cunning, assertiveCreates professional and personal conflict.
Sophia MartinezLoyal, pragmatic, observantProvides stability and practicality.

Character Background

Morgan Frank

Morgan grew up in a creative household, fostering an early love for art. Her education and career choices reflect her dedication to the art world. Past experiences with failed relationships have left her cautious but hopeful.

Peter Haskell

Peter’s background includes a successful career in finance and a complicated family history. His previous relationship ended due to unresolved issues, influencing his cautious approach to love with Morgan.

Claire Bennett

Claire has been Morgan’s close friend since college. She works as a counselor, which informs her empathetic and straightforward nature in dealing with Morgan’s problems.

Julian Moreau

Julian comes from a prestigious art dealing family. His upbringing is marked by high expectations, fueling his competitive drive and sometimes ruthless tactics.

Sophia Martinez

Sophia’s background is in business management. She values loyalty and has worked with Morgan for several years, understanding her needs and temperament well.

Character Arcs

CharacterStarting PointDevelopmentResolution
Morgan FrankSuccessful but emotionally guardedLearns to open up and trust in loveFinds balance between career and personal happiness.
Peter HaskellReserved and burdened by pastConfronts his past and embraces vulnerabilityCommits fully to his relationship with Morgan.
Claire BennettSteady and supportive friendFaces her own romantic challengesStrengthens her friendship with Morgan.
Julian MoreauAmbitious and antagonisticExperiences setbacks that prompt reflectionReevaluates his approach to competition.
Sophia MartinezReliable assistantGains confidence in voicing opinionsBecomes a key emotional support for Morgan.

Relationships

Characters InvolvedNature of RelationshipDynamics and Impact
Morgan Frank & Peter HaskellRomantic partnersComplex interplay of trust, vulnerability, and growth.
Morgan Frank & Claire BennettBest friendsEmotional support and honest counsel.
Morgan Frank & Julian MoreauProfessional rivalsTension and competition that drive plot conflict.
Morgan Frank & Sophia MartinezEmployer and assistantTrust and mutual respect enhance Morgan’s stability.
Peter Haskell & Claire BennettAcquaintancesOccasional interactions, offering outside perspectives.

Morgan and Peter

Their relationship is central, showcasing challenges of blending personal histories and ambitions. They navigate misunderstandings and learn to communicate effectively.

Morgan and Claire

Claire’s role as confidante allows Morgan to explore her fears and hopes. Their friendship highlights themes of loyalty and honesty.

Morgan and Julian

Their rivalry pushes Morgan to reassess her priorities and strategies in both career and personal life.

Morgan and Sophia

Sophia’s steadiness provides Morgan with a grounding force, emphasizing the importance of dependable relationships in high-pressure environments.


This detailed character analysis of The Apartment by Danielle Steel reveals the intricate dynamics between characters and their growth throughout the novel. Understanding these relationships and traits enriches the reading experience and highlights the novel’s themes of love, ambition, and self-discovery.