Estimated read time: 6 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters in The Hamlet
| Character Name | Role in the Story |
|---|---|
| Flem Snopes | Protagonist, ambitious young man |
| Eula Varner | Flem's love interest and later wife |
| Ab Snopes | Flem’s father, a cunning and ruthless man |
| Mink Snopes | Flem’s cousin, a troublemaker |
| Ratliff | Town clerk and observer of Snopes family |
| V.K. Ratliff | Narrator and storyteller |
| Major de Spain | Wealthy landowner, antagonist to Snopes family |
Role Identification
Flem Snopes
Flem Snopes is the central figure driving the narrative. His ambition and cunning shape much of the novel's action as he seeks to rise from poverty.
Eula Varner
Eula represents Flem’s romantic interest and eventual wife. Her character contrasts Flem's cold ambition with a more complex emotional depth.
Ab Snopes
Ab is Flem’s father and a symbol of the Snopes family's ruthless pursuit of power through deceit.
Mink Snopes
Mink is a volatile character whose actions contribute to the novel’s tension and conflicts.
Ratliff
Ratliff serves as the moral observer, offering insight into the Snopes family’s rise and their impact on the community.
Major de Spain
A wealthy landowner opposing the Snopes family's schemes, representing the old Southern aristocracy.
Character Descriptions and Traits
| Character | Description | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Flem Snopes | A shrewd and calculating man, determined to control Frenchman's Bend | Ambitious, manipulative, pragmatic |
| Eula Varner | Beautiful, lively, and emotionally complex young woman | Charming, independent, vulnerable |
| Ab Snopes | Ruthless patriarch using deceit to climb social ladder | Cunning, ruthless, loyal to family |
| Mink Snopes | Hot-headed and rebellious cousin who causes chaos | Violent, impulsive, discontent |
| Ratliff | Town clerk who observes and narrates the Snopes’ actions | Observant, ethical, witty |
| Major de Spain | Wealthy, proud landowner resisting change | Authoritative, traditional, stubborn |
Character Backgrounds
Flem Snopes
Flem grows up poor in Frenchman's Bend, a small Southern town. Determined to escape poverty, he uses manipulation and strategic marriages to gain wealth and influence.
Eula Varner
Eula comes from a respected local family and is known for her beauty and spirited personality. Her relationship with Flem is complicated by social and personal conflicts.
Ab Snopes
Ab Snopes is the patriarch who instills a ruthless sense of ambition in his sons. His background is marked by hardship and a drive to improve the family's status at any cost.
Mink Snopes
Mink is portrayed as a rebellious youth frustrated with the Snopes family's methods. His volatility often leads to violent confrontations.
Ratliff
Ratliff is a lifelong resident of Frenchman's Bend and serves as the novel’s narrator. He provides a balanced perspective on the Snopes family’s rise.
Major de Spain
A symbol of the old Southern aristocracy, Major de Spain represents the declining traditional power structures threatened by the Snopes family's ascent.
Character Arcs
| Character | Beginning State | Development | End State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flem Snopes | Poor, ambitious youth | Gains power through manipulation | Powerful, yet morally ambiguous |
| Eula Varner | Independent and lively young woman | Becomes entangled with Flem’s schemes | Tragic figure, representing loss |
| Ab Snopes | Ruthless family patriarch | Continues to push family’s agenda | Dies, but legacy influences Flem |
| Mink Snopes | Rebellious and angry | Escalates violence against enemies | Meets a violent end |
| Ratliff | Observer and commentator | Becomes more involved in events | Maintains moral stance and perspective |
| Major de Spain | Proud landowner resisting change | Faces defeat by Snopes’ schemes | Represents fading Southern elite |
Relationships
Flem Snopes and Eula Varner
Their relationship is central to the novel. Flem's ambition conflicts with Eula's independent nature, creating tension and tragedy.
Flem Snopes and Ab Snopes
Ab is both mentor and role model to Flem. Their bond is based on shared ambition and ruthless tactics.
Mink Snopes and Flem Snopes
Cousins with contrasting approaches; Mink is reckless while Flem is calculated. Their relationship is strained and volatile.
Ratliff and Snopes Family
Ratliff is a detached observer who often critiques the Snopes family, serving as the reader’s moral compass.
Major de Spain and Snopes Family
Represents the clash between old and new power. Major de Spain opposes the Snopes family's rise, symbolizing broader social change.
In-Depth Analysis
Flem Snopes: Ambition and Moral Ambiguity
Flem Snopes embodies the relentless pursuit of power in the post-Civil War South. His character challenges traditional Southern values by embracing manipulation and cold pragmatism. Flem's rise reflects the social and economic shifts of the era.
Eula Varner: Symbol of Lost Innocence
Eula's character contrasts Flem’s cynicism. She represents vitality and emotional complexity but ultimately becomes a casualty of Flem's ambition. Her story highlights the human cost of social climbing.
Ab Snopes: Patriarchal Influence
Ab Snopes sets the tone for the family’s ruthless tactics. His influence on Flem underscores the generational transmission of ambition and moral compromise.
Mink Snopes: The Violent Reaction
Mink's impulsiveness and violence serve as a counterpoint to Flem's calculated plans. His character illustrates the destructive potential of unchecked anger and frustration within a marginalized family.
Ratliff: The Ethical Observer
Ratliff's narration provides an ethical framework for understanding the Snopes family. His wit and insight offer readers a lens through which to judge the characters' actions.
Major de Spain: The Old South's Decline
As a symbol of the fading Southern aristocracy, Major de Spain's defeat by the Snopes family signals the profound social changes transforming the South.
Conclusion
The Hamlet presents a complex portrait of ambition, power, and social change through its richly drawn characters. The Snopes family's rise is marked by moral ambiguity and conflict, reflecting the tumultuous era in which the novel is set. Each character contributes to the narrative's exploration of transformation in the American South, making Faulkner's work a compelling study of human nature and society.
