The Conflict Between the Trask Family and Society

The Trask family's struggles with the Salinas community, from the lettuce failure to the scandal of Kate's brothel.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Lettuce Failure and Public Ridicule

The Humiliation The Big Idea Adam tries to ship lettuce to New York. It is a bold, innovative plan. The town watches with interest. The Disaster A series of accidents ruin the shipment. Adam loses a fortune. He becomes a laughingstock. The Social Stigma The Trask family is ridiculed. The boys are called 'Lettuce-heads'. This social pressure pushes Aron to want to escape Salinas.

The Trask Name and the Scandal

The Hidden Shame The Rumor Mill Rumors about Kate's identity circulate in Salinas. The Trask family is associated with the brothel. This is a source of shame. The Protection of the Secret Adam tries to keep the truth from his sons. He fears the scandal. The family is caught between the truth and the need to protect their reputation. The Revelation When Cal takes Aron to Kate, the secret is revealed. The scandal becomes reality. The family's reputation is shattered.

The Draft Board and the War

The Moral Conflict The Duty to Send Men to War Adam is on the draft board. He must send young men to fight, knowing many will die. This is a terrible responsibility. The Conflict with Society Adam feels the weight of society's expectations. He is torn between his duty and his conscience. He becomes more and more somber. The Personal Tragedy When Aron enlists and is killed, Adam's conflict with the war becomes personal. He suffers a stroke. The war has destroyed his family.

The Blackmail and the Photographs

The Hidden Power The Collection of Secrets Kate photographs her clients in compromising positions. She uses these to blackmail them. She has power over the town's elite. The Smoldering Conflict This creates a simmering conflict between Kate and the town. She is untouchable, but she is hated. The town fears her. The Resolution After Kate's death, Sheriff Quinn burns the photographs. The conflict is resolved by destroying the evidence. The town's secrets are buried.

The Persecution of Mr. Fenchel

The Scapegoat The German Tailor Mr. Fenchel, a German immigrant, is targeted by the town. He is accused of being a spy. His house is burned down. The Mob Mentality The town's conflict with the outside world is displaced onto an innocent man. Mr. Fenchel is a victim of hysteria. The Contrast with the Trasks The Trasks are not directly involved, but the conflict shows the town's intolerance. The Trasks themselves are also victims of gossip and prejudice.

The Final Isolation

The Withdrawal The Stroke Adam is paralyzed. He cannot speak. The family is in crisis. The Public Grief The town is aware of the Trask family's tragedy. Some show sympathy, others keep their distance. The family is isolated. The Private Struggle Cal and Lee must deal with the aftermath. The family's conflict with society is now over. They are left to their own private sorrow.

Adam's lettuce venture fails, 1915

The knowledge of Kate's identity, 1911-1918

Adam serves on the draft board, 1917-1918

Kate's blackmail of prominent citizens, 1901-1918

The town's treatment of Mr. Fenchel, 1917-1918

The Trask family after the tragedies, 1918