Who is Alan Murray from Here on Earth and what is their importance? Here_on_Earth_(novel) English & Literature Alan Murray | Here on Earth

Alan Murray is March's brother. He is described as a man without purpose. When Hollis comes to live with the family, Alan sees him as competition.... someone brought in to take his place because his father is disappointed in him. As a result, he is cruel to Hollis, creating a rivalry that will lead Hollis to do cruel things, and turning him into an emotionless entity.

When his father dies, Alan inherits everything. He has his father's money, his house, and a beautiful wife. Sadly, Alan's wife dies in a house fire when she is still a young woman, and although Alan is home, he is so frightened by the flames that he finds himself unable to go inside and save either his wife or his child. Alan is haunted this event for the rest of his life, and he turns to drinking to cope with his regrets. When Alan meets Gwen, however, he begins to come out of his self imposed isolation and reach out to his only child.