In the novel, Cold Sassy Tree, by Olive Ann Burns, Grandpa E.R. Blakeslee changes from a sparing and lethargic person to an opulent gentleman who thinks differently. First, Grandpa is a stingy man. Second, after he marries Miss Love, he begins to change and rid his "penny-pinching" ways. Third, he begins to turn into a person who is generous in all ways, and has a different view in some ethics. In brief, Grandpa Blakeslee changes drastically throughout the novel.

Early in the novel, Grandpa is usually stingy about spending money but made exceptions in rare cases. First, Grandpa expresses his unwillingness to pay for things he considers useless. When Grandpa wants to tell Aunt Loma something important, he is unable to because he does not own a telephone. He must send a messenger because "he had one at the store so he could phone...