Legends of the Fall

Although Miryea is not present for much of the novella, she is a crucial character as the love interest of Cochran, a source of heartbreak and regret for Tibey, and the impetus for the violence and retribution that occurs between the two men. Miryea is from a highly regarded family in Mexico, and although Tibey appears to be in love with her, their marriage also makes Tibey and his money socially acceptable.

Miryea is both beautiful and intelligent. Her first intimate connection with Cochran occurs through their common love of books. Cochran captures her interest when he is able to quote poetry. Later, Miryea tries to recapture her old self by ordering books at the asylum. She shows her generosity through her care and tutelage of three children with autism at the asylum. Yet these interests are not enough to pull her back into the world, and she remains damaged. Although she played an active part in their affair and knows how dangerous Tibey is, she plays little active role in the violence and retribution that follows, In the end, she is destroyed by the two men she finds herself caught between.

Tibey, whose full name is Baldassaro Mendez, is a businessman in Mexico. His nickname is short for tiburon, the Spanish word for “shark.” He is from a poor family, and at 14, Tibey begins working as a pimp, later graduating to the drug trade. Eventually, he diversifies his business, which becomes a combination of legitimate and illegitimate interests.

Tibey is rich and successful, and to further legitimize himself, he marries Miryea, who has the social pedigree to render him acceptable. Yet he continues to be a dangerous man, a fact that Cochran and Miryea are aware of but ignore. Throughout the story, Tibey’s actions are motivated by both emotion and an awareness of public perception. He knows about the affair for some time but is reluctant to do anything about it both because he cares for Miryea and Cochran and doesn’t want to lose them and because he fears for his reputation. When he does act, he does so viciously and brutally to preserve his reputation and not face the humiliation of being a cuckolded husband.

Throughout the story, Tibey shows declining interest in revenge, and when finally confronted by Cochran, he only asks for an apology. When Cochran gives it, he is relieved and forgives all, going so far as to introduce Cochran as Miryea’s husband at the nunnery. His regret comes too late, and his actions damage Miryea beyond repair.

Nordstrom is the protagonist of “The Man Who Gave Up His Name.” Born and raised in Wisconsin, he attends college before marrying Laura, moving to California, and securing a job in the oil industry. When his story begins, Nordstrom’s life has been running along conventional lines. He is successful, and things seem to be going well until his daughter gives him the impetus to reconsider his life.

At this point, Nordstrom shows himself to be a thoughtful man, willing to reconsider the foundations of his life. Indeed, he takes it one step further, considering the question of what constitutes a life. When he finds his answer, he diligently works to reshape his life around his new philosophy. Throughout his story, he shows himself to be quietly determined, stubborn, and focused as he pursues his goal. He pays close attention to the things he gravitates towards naturally and makes a new life for himself to which dancing, cooking, and nature are central.

Sonia, Nordstrom’s daughter, appears throughout the story and is the highest priority of Nordstrom’s life. She is the impetus for his life changes, telling him and Laura that they are “cold fish.” Sonia worries about Nordstrom as he changes, and she, along with his broker, talks him into seeing a psychiatrist when he wants to give away his money.

Sonia is quite intelligent and insightful, and she lives with Nordstrom every summer while she attends Harvard summer school. She has a wide circle of friends who, when Nordstrom rents a house in Marblehead, stay all month long. Sonia remains concerned for Nordstrom’s well-being and safety after the incident with Slats. In the end, she is able to maintain her relationship with her father through his life changes. She worries and doesn’t understand what he is doing, but she does not stand in his way. In many ways, she assumes the role of a parent, watching over Nordstrom as he changes his life.

Laura enters Nordstrom’s life in a dance class, and he becomes infatuated with her. Significantly, he is only able to dance in response to her dances. They date and eventually marry and move to California.

Laura is from Evanston, a wealthy Chicago suburb, and Nordstrom is from rural Wisconsin. This class difference is represented mainly by her parents, as Laura herself does not seem to care. Laura gets a job in the movie industry and her life becomes one of parties and, eventually, drugs. She has several affairs before they finally divorce. Once divorced from Nordstrom, she travels for her job and her lifestyle continues to devolve. She and Nordstrom seem to have an amicable divorce, although they have little contact. Sonia, their daughter, does not seem to have much contact with her either. Although Laura doesn’t appear in much of the book, she is fundamental to Nordstrom’s story and the development of his new philosophy.

Tristan Ludlow is the protagonist of “Legends of the Fall.” He is the middle brother of three, and from the beginning, his family cannot understand or contain him. Tristan has always been a bit wild, and the only person who seems to understand him is One Stab, whom Tristan’s father Ludlow considers more of a father to Tristan than himself.

When Samuel dies, the ways in which Tristan expresses his grief are not socially acceptable. Tristan consistently operates at the fringes of society, and only in nature does he seem to find some peace. At moments in the story, Tristan attempts to fit into conventional life, as when he marries Susannah. But these episodes are short and unsuccessful. Tristan engages in risky behavior throughout his life but never finds comfort beyond that which he briefly experiences with Isabel Two and his children.

He cares deeply for the people in his life, including Susannah, even as he hurts them with his actions. The knowledge that he is doing so damages him further, yet he is unable to stop. He is brave, and even receives a medal during the war, and yet much of his behavior seems to be mere recklessness to ease his heartache. Tristan remains separate from those whom he loves even after death when he is buried many miles from his family.

Susannah is introduced into the family by Tristan’s mother, Isabel, as a potential wife for Alfred. But she falls in love with Tristan, and they engage to marry, to the dismay of Susannah’s father. Susannah shows that although she is of proper society, she is independent-minded when she chooses to be. She is intelligent, well-bred, and thoughtful, and she seems to exemplify the ideal woman of her time and place.

While Susannah waits for Tristan to return, she busies herself with long walks and studying Samuel’s naturalist guides. She reads poetry and spends long hours in conversation with Isabel, whom she considers intelligent and whose company she enjoys. Susannah marries Alfred although she does not love him. She continues to pine for Tristan. Her mental health suffers under the strain. Throughout the book, her love for Tristan remains steadfast at the expense of intimacy with Alfred. She remains true and loyal to Tristan—laudable characteristics that prove, however, to be her downfall.