Character guide

Charles Powell

major

Also known as Mr. Powell, Powell, Charley, young Powell, Mr. Charles Powell

Young sailor who joins the Ferndale and becomes involved with the Anthony household.

Flora de Barral

major

Also known as Flora, Florrie, Miss de Barral, Flora Anthony, Flora Marlow

Daughter of the disgraced financier de Barral; central figure in the novel's romantic plot.

Fyne

supporting

Also known as Little Fyne, Mr. Fyne, the pedestrian Fyne, solemn little Fyne

A pedestrian and writer who befriends Flora and later becomes involved in her affairs.

Mrs. Fyne

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Fyne, the Fyne

Fyne's wife, a strong-minded woman who takes an interest in Flora's welfare.

Captain Anthony

major

Also known as Anthony, Roderick Anthony, Captain Anthony of the Ferndale, the captain

Captain of the Ferndale who marries Flora; a reserved and principled man.

Marlow

supporting

Also known as Mr. Marlow, the unabashed Marlow

Narrator who recounts the story of Flora and the Fynes to the reader.

de Barral

major

Also known as Mr. de Barral, the great de Barral, old de Barral, the Great de Barral

Flora's father, a once-famous financier who is ruined and imprisoned for fraud.

Franklin

supporting

Also known as Mr. Franklin, the aggrieved Franklin, the thick Mr. Franklin

Chief mate of the Ferndale, loyal to Captain Anthony but suspicious of Powell.

Mr. Smith

minor

Also known as Smith, Invariably Mr. Smith

A mysterious figure who appears in connection with de Barral's past.

Carleon Anthony

minor

Also known as The late Carleon Anthony, Anthony

Father of Captain Anthony, a famous poet mentioned in the narrative.

Mrs. Brown

minor

Also known as Brown, this Mrs. Brown, the nice, pleasant-spoken Mrs. Brown

A woman who appears briefly in connection with Flora's early life.

Mrs. de Barral

minor

Also known as Meantime Mrs. de Barral, Moreover Mrs. de Barral

Flora's mother, who dies when Flora is young.

Symons

minor

A sailor on the Ferndale, mentioned in passing.

Ted

minor

Also known as honest Ted

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Uncle Roderick

minor

Also known as Roderick, The mild Uncle Roderick

Relative of the Anthony family, mentioned in passing.

Miss Anthony

minor

A relative of Captain Anthony, mentioned briefly.

Polly

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Armida

minor

Also known as This Armida

A literary allusion used to describe a character.

John

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.