Gerald Grote Character Analysis in Orphan Train

Gerald Grote is Vivian/Niamh’s second adoptive father. He lives with his wife Wilma in a shack in the woods outside of Hemingford, Minnesota in the late 1920s. They have four children. Like his wife, Gerald doesn’t want his children and frequently neglects them. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and farming, and tries to live a self-sustaining life so that he doesn’t have to have a job. He takes an inappropriate interest in Vivian/Niamh (called “Dorothy” at the time), and ultimately tries to rape her.

Gerald Grote Character Timeline in Orphan Train

The timeline below shows where the character Gerald Grote appears in Orphan Train. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...in school. Mrs. Grotes hesitates, and Niamh hopes she “won’t have to stay.” But then Mr. Grote walks in and quickly agrees to send Niamh to school. He signs the papers, and... (full context)

On her first night, Mr. Grote tells Niamh (still going by “Dorothy”) she can either sleep with the children or on... (full context)

Mr. Grote tells Niamh that his goal is to be “self-sufficient” so that he doesn’t have to... (full context)

At first, the food Mr. Grote brings home disgusts Niamh: lots of squirrel meat and some “whiskery” fish, wild turkeys, and... (full context)

Mr. Grote ’s hunting isn’t going well and there is a shortage of food. One day, he... (full context)

...Niamh boils water and washes the sheets while Mrs. Grote sits and directs her. When Mr. Grote comes home, Niamh hears them argue, with Mrs. Grote yelling phrases like “dirty Irish bog-trotter.”... (full context)

By fall, Mr. Grote is having better “luck” with hunting and providing meat. Yet he has also become aloof... (full context)

One night, Mr. Grote comes into the children’s bedroom and motions for Niamh to come out. She follows, wrapped... (full context)

...happened.” Niamh tells her the truth about everything, from the Grotes’ uncared for children to Mr. Grote ’s violation. Miss Larsen holds Niamh’s hand the entire time. Afterward, Miss Larsen makes tea... (full context)