Clergy and intellectuals also make appearances in his short stories. The clergy might be grappling with the moral and spiritual state of the community, while intellectuals could be debating ideas about art, literature, and the future of American society. These characters interact and their stories unfold, giving a vivid picture of the different aspects of American life that Howells was observing.
Often, his stories feature middle - class characters. These are the people who are trying to make their way in a society that is rapidly changing in terms of economy and social values. For example, there might be a struggling businessman.