One of several young women whom George Willard dates. At sixteen years old, Belle works as a milliner in a women’s hat store. She is being courted by the local bartender Ed Hanby but continues to casually date George as a means of releasing sexual tension. After a night of deep introspection and personal epiphany, George goes for a walk with Belle that she only agrees to in hopes of making Ed jealous. Belle responds positively to George’s newfound masculine confidence and does not resist his advances. Their night is interrupted when Ed comes upon the pair and attacks George, leaving him humiliated and vowing to hate Belle for the rest of his life.
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Belle Carpenter Character Timeline in Winesburg, Ohio
The timeline below shows where the character Belle Carpenter appears in Winesburg, Ohio. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
13. Respectability
One evening, Wash spots George Willard out walking with Belle Carpenter. After seeing the two teenagers kissing, he decides to take George out and tell...
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19. An Awakening
Belle Carpenter is a young woman who, when visited by “black thoughts,” wishes that she were...
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...wine, and gambling. Though thirty years old, he is unsuccessful at courting the much younger Belle Carpenter. On their only date thus far, Ed’s simple nature had prevented him from properly...
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Still reeling with deep emotions, George goes to Belle Carpenter’s house and she agrees to go on a walk with him in hopes of...
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Suddenly, Ed Hanby appears and attacks George, believing that he is trying to steal Belle away. George tries to fight back but is overpowered by the older man. He is...
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