Adam Patch Character Analysis in The Beautiful and Damned

Anthony’s grandfather, who raised him after Anthony’s parents died. Adam Patch fought for the Union in the Civil War and channeled his bitter energy in the wake of the war into making himself a Wall Street millionaire. After an attack of sclerosis at fifty-seven, he suddenly commits himself to combatting what he sees as the immoralities of society. These immoralities include “liquor, literature, vice art, patent medicines, and Sunday theatres.” When he discovers that not only is Anthony failing to build a career, but also that he has been using his allowance to host parties with large amounts of alcohol, Adam Patch disinherits his grandson. While he always seemed to recover from his grave illnesses, he finally dies almost immediately after rewriting his will.

Adam Patch Character Timeline in The Beautiful and Damned

The timeline below shows where the character Adam Patch appears in The Beautiful and Damned. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...elevated social status not because he is descended from nobility but because his paternal grandfather, Adam J. Patch , made a fortune on Wall Street after returning home from the Civil War. For... (full context)

At the time the story starts, Adam Patch spends less time on social projects and more time dwelling on his dead wife and... (full context)

...ill. He decided to rent an apartment and put off moving permanently abroad until after Adam Patch ’s death. (full context)

...visit him and met Edward Shuttleworth, the reformed drinker and gambler who now works as Adam Patch ’s secretary. Shuttleworth refused to leave the room as Adam Patch confronted his grandson about... (full context)

...conversation keeps falling back into a dialogue between Gloria and Anthony. They speak disparagingly of Adam Patch ’s reformist tendencies, but what makes Gloria sit straight up is Anthony’s assertion that he... (full context)

...marry her. In response to Geraldine’s questions about his heavy drinking and relation to millionaire Adam Patch , Anthony says that he does not intend to live to forty anyway and that,... (full context)

...couple begins to daydream together about their life when they are married and have inherited Adam Patch ’s fortune. They imagine a magnificent estate with private swimming pools. The narrator remarks that... (full context)

...goes to Tarrytown to tell his grandfather he is getting married. He is insulted when Adam Patch expresses skepticism about his and Gloria’s ability to get by on their current income given... (full context)

...also unsatisfied with many of the gifts they receive, especially the check for $5000 from Adam Patch . Mrs. Gilbert plans the arrangement of a hypothetical house for Anthony and Gloria. Adam... (full context)

...six ushers in the wedding, including Dick and Maury. The men are all drinking in Adam Patch ’s library and jump quickly from one topic to the next. They discuss Dick’s book,... (full context)

At Adam Patch ’s house, Anthony is discouraged to find that his grandfather does not recall reading the... (full context)

...have decided to forego California this year and have discussed being more careful with money. Adam Patch has arranged for Anthony to work at this new desk job. Still, Anthony goes to... (full context)

...née Jerryl. She drunkenly says that if his attention can wander, hers can too. Suddenly, Adam Patch and Shuttleworth show up. Shuttleworth says he phoned ahead and left a message. Adam Patch... (full context)

...and are beginning to realize that they are dependent upon alcohol. The August morning after Adam Patch ’s appearance at the house, they awake to find that their anxiety has crossed over... (full context)

Anthony and Gloria discuss what to do. They wish Adam Patch had died a week ago, before witnessing the party. Anthony decides to go speak to... (full context)

Shuttleworth refuses to let Anthony see Adam Patch . Irritated, Anthony returns to New York, where he and Gloria spend a tense week.... (full context)

Adam Patch dies in November. Anthony and Gloria attend the funeral nervously. After a week of not... (full context)

...lawyer, Mr. Haight. They discuss how it was only in August, after the party, that Adam Patch disinherited Anthony. Of the forty million dollars comprising the estate, most has been willed to... (full context)

...and forgives her for her flirtation with Anthony and for witnessing the disastrous arrival of Adam Patch at the party in Marietta. (full context)

...the sidewalk. A passerby attempts to help him, and Anthony boasts that his grandfather is Adam Patch . When asked where he lives so that the passerby can help him home, Anthony... (full context)

...trial has involved a great deal of character attacks on Shuttleworth and other beneficiaries of Adam Patch ’s will. Anthony wakes a nervous mess the day the verdict is to be read.... (full context)