The Great Man Votes

A former Harvard professor turned outcast alcoholic who still raises his children with care and wit. He clings to classical education and moral ideals, even as his personal struggles threaten his reputation. His transformation becomes the linchpin of the story, showing how personal integrity can challenge a corrupt system.

The city’s hard-edged political boss, manipulative and persistent in maintaining control over elections and favors. He represents the corrupt machinery that Vance must confront to protect his children and restore his own dignity. His pressure tactics set the plot in motion toward reform.

The children's teacher who becomes a confidante for Vance and a catalyst for his awakening. She recognizes Vance’s intellectual gifts and moral potential, offering support that hints at a deeper personal connection. Her presence helps steer him toward a cleaner, more hopeful path.

Vance’s daughter, a bright, loyal child who helps look after her father and keeps the family anchored in love and dignity. She embodies the personal stakes of political corruption and the desire for a stable, respectable home.

Vance’s son, part of the family’s hope and resilience. He shares a close bond with his father and reflects the impact of the moral choices at the heart of the story. His involvement underlines the theme of protecting family through reform.

The incumbent political figure whose fate intertwines with the machine’s power and the city’s political future. His governance is challenged as Vance’s potential to shift the balance of power emerges, highlighting the stakes of public office.

The young son of Iron Hat McCarthy, a figure who witnesses the political battles and family dynamics at play. His presence underscores the personal costs of corruption and the hope offered by reform.