# Darkwater — Character guide

> Key figures in Darkwater by W. E. B. Du Bois.

- [The Narrator](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/narrator.md): The first-person narrator and focal character, reflecting on race, history, and personal experience.
- [The Woman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_woman.md): A recurring female figure, often symbolic or allegorical, central to several passages.
- [The Stranger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_stranger.md): An enigmatic figure who appears in key narrative moments, often addressing the narrator.
- [The Messenger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_messenger.md): A herald-like character delivering news or prophecy within the narrative.
- [The Colonel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_colonel.md): A military authority figure appearing in scenes of conflict and command.
- [Harriet Tubman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/harriet_tubman.md): Historical freedom fighter referenced as a symbol of resistance and courage.
- [The Judge's Wife](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_judges_wife.md): A minor character representing Southern white womanhood in a courtroom scene.
- [Coleridge-Taylor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/coleridge_taylor.md): A composer and cultural figure mentioned in discussions of Black artistry.
- [Julia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/julia.md): A named female character with personal ties to the narrator's family history.
- [Alfred Du Bois](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/alfred_du_bois.md): The narrator's father, a figure from his personal and family narrative.
- [The Judge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_judge.md): A legal authority presiding over a pivotal courtroom scene.
- [Louise De Mortie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/louise_de_mortie.md): A historical figure mentioned in the context of Black women's activism.
- [Young Naval Officer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/naval_officer.md): A romanticized figure appearing in a brief narrative vignette.
- [Dr. James Du Bois](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/james_du_bois.md): A relative of the narrator, mentioned in family history.
- [Charles Young](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/charles_young.md): A Black military officer and contemporary of the narrator.
- [The Master](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_master.md): An allegorical figure of authority and oppression in the narrative.
- [Tom Burghardt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/tom_burghardt.md): An ancestor of the narrator, part of the family's origin story.
- [The Priest of Japan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/the_priest_of_japan.md): A symbolic figure representing Eastern spirituality in a philosophical passage.
- [Fortson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/fortson.md): A named individual appearing in a historical or personal anecdote.
- [Mary Still](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/mary_still.md): A Black activist and writer referenced in the text.
- [Mother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/mother.md): The narrator's mother, a figure in his personal history.
- [Grandfather Burghardt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/grandfather_burghardt.md): The narrator's grandfather, part of the family lineage.
- [Fleming](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/fleming.md): A named character in a historical or personal reference.
- [Cousin Inez](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/cousin_inez.md): A relative of the narrator mentioned in family context.
- [Frederick Douglass](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/frederick_douglass.md): Abolitionist leader referenced as a historical figure and symbol.
- [Jim Crow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/jim_crow.md): Personification of segregation laws, appearing as a symbolic character.
- [Jim Davis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/jim_davis.md): A named individual in a narrative episode or historical reference.
- [Sojourner Truth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/sojourner_truth.md): Historical abolitionist and women's rights activist mentioned in the text.
- [Kate Ferguson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/kate_ferguson.md): A historical figure referenced in discussions of Black community work.
- [Alfred Noyes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/alfred_noyes.md): A poet quoted or referenced in the narrative.
- [Alexander Du Bois](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/alexander_du_bois.md): A relative of the narrator mentioned in family history.
- [David Livingstone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/david_livingstone.md): Explorer and missionary referenced in a historical context.
- [Lloyd George](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/lloyd_george.md): British Prime Minister mentioned in political commentary.
- [Paul Laurence Dunbar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/paul_laurence_dunbar.md): Poet and writer referenced as a cultural figure.
- [General Pershing](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters/general_pershing.md): American general mentioned in a military or historical context.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/darkwater_se/characters