Part 1, Chapter 3 Summary

In 1900, Eliza is pregnant for the last time, and Gant is not only drinking but visiting prostitutes. Steve, the oldest, now retrieves him and brings him home. When Gant comes home drunk, he rages and threatens to kill Eliza. Helen takes care of him when he finally calms down.

Part 1, Chapter 3 Analysis

Thomas Wolfe grew up to be a very tall man, possibly six-foot-six, and his size came directly from his father, who was said to be six-foot-four. Gant is a dominating presence in many ways in this novel, including his size. He makes loud, long speeches; he provides for his family and consumes large amounts of food and creates huge fires in the fireplaces of the house. The descriptions of his noisy arrival home at the end of the day are some of the most entertaining and heart-warming episodes in...