Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions

by

Kurt Vonnegut

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Breakfast of Champions makes teaching easy.

Harry LeSabre Character Analysis

Grace’s husband and Dwayne Hoover’s “white sales manager.” Harry, despite being named after a Buick, has worked in Dwayne’s Pontiac dealership in Midland City for over twenty years. He is also “fabulously well-to-do,” having struck it rich in the stock market after purchasing cheap stock in Xerox years ago. Harry is a “secret transvestite,” and when Dwayne criticizes the drab clothing Harry usually wears to work, he is certain that Dwayne has discovered his secret. He is the only one in Midland City to notice Dwayne’s mental decline, yet he does nothing to help, and instead quits his job and buys a condominium on Maui. Harry LeSabre is an example of American society’s inclination to sidestep or ignore those who present with symptoms of mental illness.
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Harry LeSabre Character Timeline in Breakfast of Champions

The timeline below shows where the character Harry LeSabre appears in Breakfast of Champions. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4
Race and Racism Theme Icon
Harry LeSabre, Dwayne’s “white sales manager,” is the only person to notice Dwayne’s change in mental... (full context)
Mental Health Theme Icon
“Listen:” Harry tells Francine that Dwayne is “changing.” Harry can feel it. He tells Francine to go... (full context)
The Destruction of the Planet Theme Icon
Mental Health Theme Icon
Harry is “upset” with Dwayne because earlier that day he had gone into Dwayne’s office—as he... (full context)
Capitalism and Consumerism Theme Icon
Mental Health Theme Icon
Harry,” Dwayne said, “why don’t you get a bunch of cotton waste from Vern Garr, soak... (full context)
Mental Health Theme Icon
Harry was shocked by Dwayne’s outburst. Harry is “generally acknowledged to be one of the most... (full context)
Chapter 11
Art, Subjectivity, and Absurdity Theme Icon
Mental Health Theme Icon
...and coconuts. Dwayne has forgotten all about “Hawaiian Week,” which is puzzling enough, but then Harry LeSabre walks by wearing a “lettuce-green leotard, straw sandals, a grass skirt, and a pink... (full context)
Chapter 13
Mental Health Theme Icon
After his unexpected encounter with Harry, Dwayne finally makes it to the safety of his office. “This is a very tough... (full context)
Chapter 15
Capitalism and Consumerism Theme Icon
In the meantime, Harry is at home crying as well. He is sure that Dwayne knows he is a... (full context)
Race and Racism Theme Icon
“Fuck Dwayne Hoover,” Grace tells Harry, “and fuck Midland City. Let’s sell the God damn Xerox stock and buy a condominium... (full context)