Character guide

Narrator

major

Also known as Unknown, myself, himself, mine, me

The unnamed first-person narrator who travels the Concord and Merrimack rivers.

Chaucer

supporting

Also known as himself

The English poet frequently quoted and discussed as a literary touchstone.

The Indians

supporting

Also known as the Indians, Christian, Indians, the Christian Indians, their

Native American groups referenced throughout the journey and historical accounts.

Rice

minor

Also known as himself

A local figure or acquaintance mentioned in the narrative.

Goethe

minor

Also known as himself

The German writer and philosopher cited in reflections on nature and art.

Ossian

minor

Also known as himself, thy

Legendary Gaelic bard whose poetry is invoked in the narrative.

Christ

minor

Central figure of Christianity referenced in moral and spiritual discussions.

Buttrick

minor

Also known as myself

A historical or local person mentioned during the river journey.

Homer

minor

Ancient Greek poet whose epics are frequently alluded to.

Jonathan Tyng

minor

Also known as Tyng, one Mr. Jonathan Tyng, Mr. Tyng, himself

A colonial figure associated with the Merrimack River region.

Hannah Dustan

minor

A colonial woman captured by Indians, whose story is recounted.

Sir Walter Raleigh

minor

Also known as Raleigh

Elizabethan explorer and writer mentioned in historical contexts.

Alexander Henry

minor

Also known as Alexander, Henry

Fur trader and explorer whose adventures are referenced.

Anacreon

minor

Also known as himself

Ancient Greek lyric poet quoted in the text.

Oliver Cromwell

minor

Also known as Cromwell, one Cromwell

English military and political leader mentioned in historical reflections.

Thoreau

minor

Also known as the Penacooks ] Thoreau

The author himself, occasionally referred to in the third person.

Columbus

minor

Explorer mentioned in discussions of discovery and history.

Shakespeare

minor

The playwright frequently quoted and referenced.

Lieut. Farwell

minor

Also known as Farwell

A military officer mentioned in historical accounts.

Wawatam

minor

An Indian chief who aided Alexander Henry.

Aulus Persius Flaccus

minor

Also known as Persius

Roman satirist whose works are cited.

Brahma

minor

Also known as himself

Hindu deity referenced in philosophical passages.

Pan

minor

Greek god of the wild, invoked in nature descriptions.

Eleazer Davis

minor

Also known as Davis

A local person mentioned in the narrative.

Gookin

minor

Colonial historian cited regarding Indian affairs.

Mr. Eliot

minor

Also known as brother Eliot

Missionary to the Indians mentioned in historical context.

Charon

minor

Also known as himself

Mythological ferryman of the dead, used as a metaphor.

Manu

minor

Hindu lawgiver and mythical figure referenced.

Captain Lovewell

minor

Also known as the famous Captain Lovewell, Lovewell

Leader of a colonial military expedition.

Thomas Fuller

minor

Also known as Fuller

English churchman and historian quoted.

Dr. Jonathan Gove

minor

A local physician mentioned in passing.

Josiah Jones

minor

Also known as Jones

A local resident referenced in the narrative.

Krishna

minor

Also known as Krishna Dvaipāyana Vyasa

Hindu deity and central figure in the Bhagavad Gita.

Belphoebe

minor

Character from Spenser's Faerie Queene, alluded to.

John Stark

minor

Revolutionary War hero from New Hampshire.

Fingal

minor

Also known as son of Fingal

Legendary Scottish hero from Ossianic poetry.

Pythagoras

minor

Also known as himself

Ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician.

Rev. Matthew Clark

minor

Also known as himself

A clergyman mentioned in the narrative.

Milton

minor

English poet, author of Paradise Lost, referenced.

Elisha

minor

Biblical prophet mentioned in a religious context.

Dr. Johnson

minor

Also known as old Johnson

Samuel Johnson, English writer and lexicographer.

Apollo

minor

Greek god of music and poetry, invoked.

Ephraim Wood

minor

Also known as the Hon . Ephraim Wood

A local dignitary mentioned in the narrative.

Nestor

minor

Greek mythological king known for wisdom.

Wannalancet

minor

Also known as the Sachem Wannalancet

Sachem of the Penacook tribe.

John Tinker

minor

A local person mentioned in the narrative.

Philip

minor

King Philip, Wampanoag leader in King Philip's War.

Robin Hood

minor

Also known as Robin Hood Ballads, the Robin Hood

Legendary English outlaw, referenced in ballads.

Jonathan Frye

minor

Also known as good young Frye, Frye

A colonial soldier and chaplain.

Arjuna

minor

Hindu warrior prince from the Mahabharata.

Horace

minor

Roman poet quoted in the text.

Ayer

minor

A local person mentioned in the narrative.

Jehovah

minor

Biblical name for God, used in religious references.

Virgil

minor

Roman poet, author of the Aeneid, referenced.

Edmund Halley

minor

Also known as himself

English astronomer, mentioned in a scientific context.

Antigone

minor

Tragic heroine from Greek drama.

Warren Hastings

minor

Also known as Hastings

First Governor-General of India, referenced.

Robert Rogers

minor

Also known as Herbert

Colonial frontier soldier and leader of Rogers' Rangers.

Sadi

minor

Also known as Shaikh Sadi

Persian poet, author of the Gulistan.

Fillan

minor

Character from Ossianic poetry.

Crodar

minor

Also known as thou, thy

Figure from Ossianic legend.

Evelyn

minor

Also known as Eve

Possibly a reference to John Evelyn, diarist.

Robinson Crusoe

minor

Fictional castaway, referenced as a literary figure.

Jove

minor

Roman king of the gods, used in classical allusions.

Jacob Shute

minor

Also known as Jacob

A local person mentioned in the narrative.

Memnon

minor

Ethiopian king from Greek mythology.

King Creon

minor

Also known as Creon

Theban king from Greek tragedy.

Edwin

minor

Also known as himself

Possibly a character from Ossian or local legend.

Euphemus

minor

Figure from Greek mythology, an Argonaut.

Wyseman Clagett

minor

Also known as The Hon . Wyseman Clagett

A colonial official mentioned in the narrative.

Newton

minor

Isaac Newton, referenced in scientific discussions.