The Worst Hard Time

The Worst Hard Time

by

Timothy Egan

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Maude Edwards Character Analysis

Simon Herzstein’s wife. Maude grew up in London and Philadelphia. Egan describes her as a “blond, very pretty, small, and well-dressed woman” who spoke with “the crispest English heard in New Mexico Territory” and who had “European manners.” She accompanied Simon to Clayton, New Mexico where Black Jack Ketchum was hanged.
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Maude Edwards Character Timeline in The Worst Hard Time

The timeline below shows where the character Maude Edwards appears in The Worst Hard Time. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6: First Wave
Westward Expansion and the Settlement of the Southern Plains Theme Icon
...same week that Simon Herzstein, Morris and Levi’s nephew, arrived from Philadelphia with his wife, Maude Edwards. When they got off the train in Clayton, Maude looked around and was horrified... (full context)
Westward Expansion and the Settlement of the Southern Plains Theme Icon
...of Black Jack’s hooded head breaking and rolling to the feet of the crowd was Maude Edwards’ welcome to the High Plains. Simon Herzstein never tired of telling this story. (full context)
Westward Expansion and the Settlement of the Southern Plains Theme Icon
Economic Hardship and Lessons of the Great Depression Theme Icon
...Simon loved baseball, poker, and bridge. He also loved to throw big dinner parties, which Maude also enjoyed. The company distracted her from “the wind and the empty skies.” Conversely, Simon... (full context)
Chapter 8: In a Dry Land
Economic Hardship and Lessons of the Great Depression Theme Icon
Simon and Maude Herzstein kept their spirits up by holding a big Friday dinner party, for which they... (full context)