The Sculptor’s Funeral Character Analysis

Harvey Merrick

The story focuses on Harvey Merrick, an acclaimed sculptor whose body is returning home to Sand City, Kansas, after a life spent pursuing his art in the Eastern U.S. Unlike most protagonists, Harvey is only… read analysis of Harvey Merrick

Henry Steavens

Harvey’s devoted apprentice, Henry Steavens, accompanies Harvey’s body home from Boston. Steavens is a stranger to everyone in Sand City, who observes the funeral unfold much like the reader does throughout the story. Steavens… read analysis of Henry Steavens

Jim Laird

Standing apart from the rest of the group awaiting Harvey’s body, lawyer Jim Laird’s character bridges the divide between Steavens and the rest of the funeral attendees. Laird was educated with Harvey in the… read analysis of Jim Laird

Mr. Martin Merrick

Martin Merrick is Harvey’s father. He is too ill to wait for his son’s body on the winter night the coffin arrives at the train station. Described as a meek and feeble elderly man… read analysis of Mr. Martin Merrick

Mrs. Annie Merrick

Annie Merrick is Harvey’s mother, depicted as a violent force of nature. Cather flips gender stereotypes by placing Harvey’s mother in the more dominant position over her husband, Martin, in the Merrick household… read analysis of Mrs. Annie Merrick

Roxy

Roxy is the Merrick’s servant that Mrs. Merrick abuses in the kitchen during the funeral. As she is one of the only characters displaying genuine emotion over Harvey’s death, Steavens feels most comfortable standing… read analysis of Roxy

Minor Characters

Harvey’s sister

Thin and “angular,” Harvey’s sister has a restraint unknown to their mother, Annie. Her only dialogue in the story serves to calm her mother and direct the funeral attendees into the parlor. Harvey’s other siblings are mentioned in passing, but she is the only one present for his funeral.

The Grand Army man

The first townsperson to speak in the story, the Grand Army man disparages the funeral arrangements before Harvey’s body even arrives, because Harvey was a man of “some repytation.” He clues the reader into Sand City’s general negative sentiment regarding Harvey that is expanded upon throughout the story.

Philip Phelps

Phelps is one of two bankers from Sand City in attendance at Harvey’s funeral. When the question of Harvey’s will comes up, Phelps laughs. Both Phelps and Elder, the other banker, represent the materialism running rampant in Sand City.

Elder

Elder is a financier of Sand City, along with Phelps, who believes that Harvey did his father a disservice by using his money for his education rather than putting that money back into the family farms.

The minister

The character arguably most suited to judge Harvey Merrick, the minister only feels comfortable chiming in that he “never had a robust constitution.” This suggests that the rest of the Sand City residents aren’t in a position to judge Harvey, though they do so without compunction.

Mr. Thompson

The caretaker and hearse driver. Mr. Thompson drives Harvey’s casket and Steavens to the Merrick home for the funeral.

Coal and lumber dealer

The coal and lumber dealer is one of the unnamed funeral attendees, referred to only by his trade. He contributes an anecdote about Harvey, commenting on his “ladylike voice” and absent work ethic.

The cattleman

The cattleman reminds the other townspeople about a time when Harvey let one of his cow’s escape because he was watching the sunset rather than the cattle. This particular anecdote functions as an allegory for Sand City’s commitment to seeing the bad in Harvey.