Can You Forgive Her? · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope.
Alice Vavasor
major
Also known as Alice, Miss Vavasor, Alice Vavasor, poor Alice
A young woman torn between two suitors, struggling with her own indecision and family obligations.
George Vavasor
major
Also known as cousin George, Mr. George Vavasor, George, Mr. Vavasor
Alice's ambitious and volatile cousin, a suitor with a dangerous temper and political aspirations.
John Grey
major
Also known as Mr. Grey, John, Grey, Dear John
A steady, worthy gentleman farmer who loves Alice and represents a life of quiet domesticity.
Lady Glencora Palliser
major
Also known as Lady Glencora McCluskie, Glencora, Lady Glencora
A spirited heiress married to Plantagenet Palliser, struggling with her wild past and societal expectations.
Plantagenet Palliser
major
Also known as Mr. Palliser, Jeffrey Palliser, Jeffrey, Palliser
A serious, duty-bound politician and husband to Lady Glencora, devoted to public service.
Kate Vavasor
supporting
Also known as Kate, Dearest Kate
Alice's loyal and pragmatic cousin, who often mediates between Alice and George.
Mrs. Greenow
supporting
Also known as Aunt Greenow, Greenow, the Vavasors Mrs. Greenow
Alice and Kate's wealthy, flirtatious aunt, a widow courted by two suitors.
Mr. Cheesacre
supporting
Also known as Cheesacre, poor Cheesacre, the lamb Cheesacre
A pompous, wealthy farmer who courts Mrs. Greenow with lavish gifts.
Captain Bellfield
supporting
Also known as that Captain Bellfield, Bellfield, Poor Bellfield
A charming but penniless captain who rivals Cheesacre for Mrs. Greenow's hand.
Burgo Fitzgerald
supporting
Also known as Burgo, Burgo Fitzgerald, poor Burgo
Lady Glencora's former lover, a handsome but reckless and impoverished gentleman.
Mr. John Vavasor
supporting
Also known as Mr. Vavasor, John Vavasor, John, uncle John
Alice's affectionate but financially careless father, living in London.
Lady Macleod
supporting
Also known as old Lady Macleod, Macleod, Poor Lady Macleod
Alice's stern, religious grandmother who disapproves of her choices.
Lady Midlothian
supporting
Also known as dear Lady Midlothian, Lady Midlothian
A wealthy, condescending relative of the Pallisers who meddles in affairs.
Mr. Bott
supporting
Also known as Bott, this horrid Mr. Bott, poor Mr. Bott
A sycophantic political hanger-on who ingratiates himself with the Pallisers.
Lady Monk
supporting
Also known as Lady Monk
A scheming society hostess who plots to reunite Burgo and Lady Glencora.
Mr. Scruby
supporting
Also known as Scruby, Oh Mr. Scruby, This Mr. Scruby
George Vavasor's election agent, involved in financial and political scheming.
Mrs. Marsham
minor
Also known as XLIII Mrs. Marsham, a Mrs. Marsham, the Marsham
A gossipy neighbor who spies on Alice and reports to Lady Midlothian.
Mr. Tombe
minor
Also known as Mr. Tombe
The family lawyer who advises Alice and Mr. Vavasor on financial matters.
Jeannette
minor
Also known as And Jeannette
Mrs. Greenow's loyal and sharp-tongued maid.
Mr. Maxwell
minor
Also known as Maxwell
A tenant farmer on the Vavasor estate, involved in the election.
Charlie Fairstairs
minor
Also known as Charlie, Charlie Fairstairs, Miss Fairstairs
A young woman who flirts with Captain Bellfield and others.
Mr. Grimes
minor
Also known as XIII Mr. Grimes, Grimes
A rough farmer who works for George Vavasor and assists in shady dealings.
Calder Jones
minor
Also known as Mr. Calder Jones, Jones, Calder, Mr. Jones
A Welsh neighbor and friend of the Vavasors, involved in local politics.
Mr. Grindley
minor
Also known as Grindley, Whereupon Mr. Grindley
A lawyer involved in the Vavasor family legal affairs.
Sir Cosmo Monk
minor
Also known as Sir Cosmo Monk, Sir Cosmo, Cosmo
Lady Monk's husband, a minor nobleman.
Duke of Omnium
minor
Also known as Omnium, The Duke, the Duke of Omnium
The elderly, wealthy Duke, head of the Palliser family.
Miss Euphemia Palliser
minor
Also known as Miss Palliser, The other Miss Palliser, Euphemia
Plantagenet's sister, a quiet and proper young woman.
Mr. Fitzgerald
minor
Also known as Fitzgerald
Burgo's uncle, a stern and disapproving relative.
Mrs. Conway Sparkes
minor
Also known as Mrs. Sparkes
A minor society lady who appears at parties and gatherings.
Bat Smithers
minor
Also known as Bat, Smithers
A jockey or stable hand associated with the Vavasor family.
Lady Jane
minor
Also known as Jane, a Lady Jane, this Lady Jane
A minor aristocratic acquaintance of the Pallisers.
Mr. Pollock
minor
Also known as Pollock, poor Pollock
A friend or associate of George Vavasor in London.
Sir William
minor
Also known as old Sir William
A minor baronet or official mentioned in political circles.
Duke of St. Bungay
minor
Also known as The Duke, Duke, the Duke of St. Bungay
A senior politician and advisor to Plantagenet Palliser.
Mr. Gogram
minor
Also known as Gogram
A messenger or clerk employed by the Pallisers.
Mr. Levy
minor
Also known as Mr. Levy
A shady moneylender who deals with George Vavasor.
Lord Brock
minor
Also known as Brock
A political figure and leader of the government.
Mr. Loftus Fitzhoward
minor
Also known as Mr. Fitzhoward
A minor aristocrat and relative of the Pallisers.
Duchess of St. Bungay
minor
Also known as the Duchess of St. Bungay, Duchess
The wife of the Duke of St. Bungay, a society hostess.
Mr. Magruin
minor
Also known as Magruin
A political agent or journalist involved in the election.
Arabella Vavasor
minor
Also known as Arabella
George Vavasor's sister, a minor character in the family drama.
Lady Hartletop
minor
Also known as Hartletop
A minor society figure, friend of Lady Monk.
Mrs. Jones
minor
Also known as Jones
Calder Jones's wife, a minor character in the rural scenes.
Pinkle
minor
Also known as Pinkle
A servant or groom at the Vavasor estate.
Mr. Finespun
minor
Also known as Finespun
A minor official or clerk in the Palliser household.
Joe Fairstairs
minor
Also known as Joe, Mr. Joe, the idle Joe, Mr. Fairstairs
Charlie Fairstairs's brother, a lazy young man.
Ophelia Walker
minor
Also known as Ophelia, the delicate Ophelia, Walker
A young woman courted by Joe Fairstairs.
Iphy Palliser
minor
Also known as Iphy, Iphigenia Palliser, Iphigenia
Plantagenet Palliser's younger sister.
Squire Vavasor
minor
Also known as Squire Vavasor of Vavasor Hall, Vavasor Hall, Squire
The old, dying squire of Vavasor Hall, George's grandfather.
Mrs. Green
minor
Also known as Mrs. Green
A minor character, possibly a housekeeper or neighbor.
Mr. Travers
minor
Also known as that Mr. Travers, Travers
A lawyer or businessman involved in George Vavasor's affairs.
Mrs. Walker
minor
Also known as Mrs. Walker
Ophelia Walker's mother, a minor character.
Mr. Round
minor
Also known as Mr. Round
A lawyer involved in the Palliser family legal matters.
Mrs. Bunsby
minor
Also known as Mrs. Bunsby
A minor character, possibly a landlady or servant.
Lord Hartletop
minor
Also known as Lord Hartletop
Lady Hartletop's husband, a minor nobleman.
Tufto Pearlings
minor
Also known as Pearlings
A minor dandy or society figure.
Sir Guy de Palisere
minor
Also known as Sir Guy, old Sir Guy
An ancestor of the Palliser family, mentioned in history.
Mr. Greenow
minor
Also known as Mr. Greenow
Mrs. Greenow's deceased husband, mentioned but not appearing.
Marchioness of Auld Reekie
minor
Also known as Auld Reekie, The Marchioness, the Marchioness
A Scottish relative of the Pallisers, mentioned in letters.
George Plantagenet
minor
Also known as George, Plantagenet
A historical figure referenced in the Palliser family history.
Fanny Fairstairs
minor
Also known as Fanny
Another Fairstairs sister, a minor character.
Aunt Macleod
minor
Also known as Aunt Macleod
Another of Alice's Macleod relatives, mentioned briefly.
Lord Middlesex
minor
Also known as poor Lord Middlesex
A minor politician or nobleman mentioned in passing.
John Applethwaite
minor
Also known as John
A minor character, possibly a tradesman or neighbor.
Mrs. Bellfield
minor
Also known as Another Mrs. Bellfield
Captain Bellfield's mother, mentioned briefly.
