Catherine/Adelaide Character Analysis in Trust

Adelaide is Mildred’s mother, while Catherine is Adelaide’s fictional alter-ego in Harold Vanner’s novel, Bonds. Catherine is also Leopold’s wife. In Bonds, Catherine and Helen’s family was once prominent but has fallen on hard times, though Catherine’s vibrant social life helps the family remain relevant. Catherine and Helen also have a strained relationship, which is mirrored in Mildred’s relationship with Adelaide, as Mildred writes in her diary that it will take her an enormous amount of energy to respond to a letter from her mother.

Catherine/Adelaide Character Timeline in Trust

The timeline below shows where the character Catherine/Adelaide appears in Trust. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Brevoorts are a prominent Albany family whose fortune has dwindled over the last three generations. Catherine is a gifted conversationalist, which helps the family retain its prominent status. Her husband, Leopold,... (full context)

Self-Interest vs. the Common Good Theme Icon

...during her childhood. At a family friend’s villa in Italy, Helen announces that she’s leaving. Catherine takes no notice. When Helen walks through the streets of the nearby town, she is... (full context)

Catherine takes Helen to social engagements, where Helen entertains people with performances designed to show off... (full context)

As the war approaches, Catherine tries to arrange for her family to leave Europe, but Leopold falls into “delirium.” Catherine... (full context)

When they return to New York, Sheldon offers Catherine and Helen an apartment where they can stay in the city. Sheldon boasts to Catherine... (full context)

At the Red Cross gala, Catherine and Helen are placed at opposite ends of the table. Catherine sits next to Benjamin,... (full context)

...it will all be in vain; she’s sure her father is gone. Helen doesn’t tell Catherine what she has learned to see if her mother ever brings up Leopold again. She... (full context)

...it to the notebook. At one point, Helen doesn’t eat for two days. Benjamin calls Catherine to see if she thinks Helen’s illness is similar to Leopold’s. When Catherine sees Helen,... (full context)

In the fall of 1919, Mrs. Adelaide Howland and her daughter, Mildred, return from Europe. Mr. Howland had died of a lung condition... (full context)