"The Given Day" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane, the characters play various roles in the historical context of the book. Danny Coughlin and Luther Laurence are the main protagonists, while Babe Ruth, Thomas Coughlin, Nora O'Shea, and John Luther serve as supporting characters. Adam Figgis acts as the primary antagonist. Additionally, historical figures such as Calvin Coolidge and J. Edgar Hoover also make appearances.

Character Descriptions

• Danny Coughlin: A young, ambitious police officer who becomes involved in the labor movement and struggles with his own identity and family legacy.
• Luther Laurence: An African American man who works as a janitor at a police station and becomes involved in the fight for civil rights.
• Babe Ruth: A famous baseball player who plays a significant role in the story and forms a close bond with Danny.
• Thomas Coughlin: Danny's father and a prominent police captain who holds deep-seated prejudices.
• Nora O'Shea: A young woman who works at a library and becomes romantically involved with Danny.
• Adam Figgis: A corrupt police officer who acts as the primary antagonist, fueling the conflict throughout the book.
• John Luther: Luther Laurence's brother, who is involved in the early stages of labor organizing.
• Esther Coughlin: Danny's sister, who struggles with her own desires and societal expectations.
• Calvin Coolidge: The 30th President of the United States, who appears in the book during a significant event.
• J. Edgar Hoover: The Director of the Bureau of Investigation (later known as the FBI), who plays a minor role in the story.

Character Traits

• Danny Coughlin: Brave, idealistic, conflicted, and determined.
• Luther Laurence: Courageous, resilient, passionate, and dedicated.
• Babe Ruth: Charismatic, talented, loyal, and larger-than-life.
• Thomas Coughlin: Authoritative, prejudiced, traditional, and conflicted.
• Nora O'Shea: Intelligent, independent, compassionate, and daring.
• Adam Figgis: Corrupt, manipulative, ruthless, and power-hungry.
• John Luther: Charismatic, persuasive, principled, and dedicated.
• Esther Coughlin: Constrained, rebellious, conflicted, and compassionate.
• Calvin Coolidge: Reserved, conservative, traditional, and politically astute.
• J. Edgar Hoover: Calculating, ambitious, meticulous, and secretive.

Character Background

• Danny Coughlin: Comes from a family of Irish police officers, which puts pressure on him to follow in their footsteps. He witnesses the harsh treatment of workers and becomes sympathetic to their cause.
• Luther Laurence: Grows up in a racially segregated society, facing discrimination and injustice. He seeks equality and justice for all African Americans.
• Babe Ruth: Rises from a humble background to become a baseball legend. He forms a bond with Danny and supports his endeavors.
• Thomas Coughlin: A respected police captain with strong prejudices against marginalized groups, which creates tension within his family.
• Nora O'Shea: Works at a library and is passionate about education and social justice. She becomes involved with Danny and supports his ideals.
• Adam Figgis: A corrupt police officer who abuses his power and seeks personal gain. He becomes a major obstacle for Danny and Luther.
• John Luther: Luther's brother, who shares his passion for civil rights and worker's rights. He becomes involved in organizing labor movements.
• Esther Coughlin: Danny's sister, who struggles with societal expectations and desires outside of traditional gender roles.
• Calvin Coolidge: The President during the time period of the book, known for his conservative policies and reserved nature.
• J. Edgar Hoover: The Director of the Bureau of Investigation, known for his strict enforcement of the law and his secretive nature.

Character Arcs

• Danny Coughlin: Starts as a loyal police officer but becomes disillusioned by the corrupt practices within the force. He becomes involved in the labor movement and experiences personal growth as he fights for justice.
• Luther Laurence: Begins as a janitor, facing racial discrimination, and becomes involved in the civil rights movement. He experiences personal growth and becomes an influential figure in the fight for equality.
• Babe Ruth: Starts as a famous baseball player, but through his friendship with Danny, he gains a deeper understanding of social issues and becomes a supporter of the labor movement.
• Thomas Coughlin: Begins as a respected police captain but struggles with his prejudices and the changing dynamics within society.
• Nora O'Shea: Starts as a young woman working at a library and develops a stronger sense of self as she supports Danny and his causes.
• Adam Figgis: Starts as a corrupt police officer and continues his path of corruption and abuse of power throughout the story.
• John Luther: Begins as an activist for civil rights and worker's rights and continues to fight for justice throughout the book.
• Esther Coughlin: Begins as a constrained woman within societal expectations but starts to challenge these norms and finds her own voice and desires.
• Calvin Coolidge: Remains a reserved and conservative figure throughout the book, representing the political climate of the time.
• J. Edgar Hoover: Plays a minor role in the story, maintaining his secretive and meticulous nature.

Relationships

• Danny Coughlin and Luther Laurence: Danny and Luther form a strong bond as they fight for justice and equality. Their friendship transcends racial barriers and becomes a symbol of solidarity.
• Danny Coughlin and Babe Ruth: Danny and Babe Ruth develop a close friendship based on shared experiences and mutual respect. Babe serves as a mentor to Danny and supports his causes.
• Danny Coughlin and Nora O'Shea: Danny and Nora's relationship evolves from a romantic connection to a partnership in their shared ideals and fight for justice.
• Danny Coughlin and Thomas Coughlin: Danny's relationship with his father is strained due to their differing values and perspectives. They clash over Danny's involvement in the labor movement.
• Luther Laurence and John Luther: Luther and John are brothers who share a passion for civil rights. They work together to fight for equality and justice.
• Esther Coughlin and Nora O'Shea: Esther and Nora have a close friendship and support each other in their individual journeys of self-discovery and challenging societal expectations.
• Adam Figgis and Danny Coughlin: Adam Figgis serves as the primary antagonist to Danny, constantly trying to undermine his efforts and maintain the corrupt status quo.
• Calvin Coolidge and Danny Coughlin: Although they do not directly interact, Calvin Coolidge represents the conservative political climate that Danny and Luther are fighting against.
• J. Edgar Hoover and Danny Coughlin: J. Edgar Hoover plays a minor role in the story, representing the broader law enforcement structure that Danny and Luther navigate.

In "The Given Day," Dennis Lehane creates a rich tapestry of characters who navigate the complex social and political landscape of Boston in the early 20th century. These characters, with their diverse backgrounds, motivations, and relationships, drive the narrative forward and highlight the challenges faced by individuals striving for justice and equality. Through their character arcs and interactions, Lehane explores themes of identity, prejudice, social change, and the power of collective action.