Character guide

Jasper Milvain

major

Also known as Mr. Milvain, Mr. Jasper Milvain, young Milvain

Ambitious young journalist and critic, central to the plot.

Marian Yule

major

Also known as Marian, Yule

Intelligent and sensitive daughter of Alfred Yule, in love with Jasper.

Edwin Reardon

major

Also known as Reardon, Mr. Reardon, poor Reardon

Struggling novelist whose marriage and career face crisis.

Amy Reardon

major

Also known as Amy, Mrs. Reardon

Edwin's wife, torn between loyalty and social ambition.

Dora Milvain

supporting

Also known as Miss Milvain, Miss Dora Milvain

Jasper's sister, kind-hearted and supportive.

Harold Biffen

supporting

Also known as Biffen, old Biffen, poor Biffen

Impoverished writer and friend of Reardon, a realist author.

Alfred Yule

supporting

Also known as Mr. Yule, Yule

Marian's father, a bitter and scholarly literary man.

Mrs. Edmund Yule

supporting

Also known as Edmund Yule, Mrs. Yule

Marian's aunt, a social-climbing widow.

John Yule

supporting

Also known as John, old John Yule

Wealthy uncle of Marian, whose inheritance causes conflict.

Whelpdale

supporting

Also known as Mr. Whelpdale, ass Whelpdale

A struggling writer and friend of Jasper, later a publisher.

Maud Milvain

supporting

Also known as Maud

Jasper's other sister, more pragmatic than Dora.

Edith Carter

supporting

Also known as Carter, Edith

A vivacious young woman who attracts Jasper's attention.

Mr. Carter

minor

Also known as the high-spirited Mr. Carter, Carter

Edith's father, a cheerful and sociable gentleman.

Fadge

minor

Also known as Mr. Fadge, the great Fadge

Editor of a literary journal, a rival to Alfred Yule.

Jedwood

minor

Also known as Mr. Jedwood

A publisher who deals with several of the writers.

Mrs. Milvain

minor

Jasper's mother, living with her daughters in the country.

Mr. Hinks

minor

Also known as Hinks, poor Hinks

A struggling writer and acquaintance of the literary circle.

Mr. Quarmby

minor

Also known as Quarmby

A literary man and friend of Alfred Yule.

Willie

minor

Also known as Poor little Willie

The young son of the Reardons, a sickly child.

Clement Fadge

minor

Also known as Fadge

A critic and relative of the editor Fadge.

Miss Harrow

minor

A friend of the Yule family, companion to Mrs. Edmund Yule.

Miss Rupert

minor

Also known as this Miss Rupert

A young woman who visits the Yule household.

Sykes

minor

Also known as Mr. Sykes

A minor literary figure and acquaintance.

Mr. Bailey

minor

A publisher or bookseller known to the characters.

Mr. Dolomore

minor

Also known as Dolomore

A wealthy man who shows interest in Amy Reardon.

Annie Rudd

minor

Also known as Annie

A servant in the Yule household.

Mrs. Goby

minor

A landlady or neighbor of the Reardons.

Mr. Baker

minor

Also known as Baker

A minor acquaintance in the literary world.

Mrs. Lane

minor

Also known as Lane

A friend of the Milvain family.

Horace Barlow

minor

Also known as Barlow, old Barlow

An older literary man and friend of Alfred Yule.

Rackett

minor

Also known as Mr. Rackett

A publisher or businessman.

Mrs. Boston Wright

minor

Also known as Mrs. Wright

A society woman who appears at gatherings.

Nathaniel Walker

minor

Also known as Walker, Nat Walker, Nat

A young man who courts Maud Milvain.

Mortimer

minor

Also known as Mr. Mortimer

A minor character in the literary scene.

Monk

minor

Also known as Mr. Monk

A publisher or editor.

Markland

minor

A friend of Jasper Milvain.

Ralph Warbury

minor

Also known as Warbury

A journalist and friend of Jasper.

Shadwell

minor

A minor literary figure mentioned in passing.

Miss Radway

minor

A friend of the Yule family.

Mr. Briggs

minor

Also known as Briggs

A minor acquaintance in the literary world.

Bowring

minor

A friend of Biffen and Reardon.

William Milvain

minor

Also known as William

Jasper's deceased father, mentioned in backstory.

Mr. Gorbutt

minor

Also known as Mrs. Gorbutt, Mr. and Mrs. Gorbutt

A couple who are neighbors or acquaintances.

Albert Reed

minor

Also known as Hubert Reed

A young man briefly associated with the story.

Mrs. Whelpdale

minor

Also known as Whelpdale

Whelpdale's mother, mentioned in passing.

Susan

minor

A servant in the Reardon household.

Mr. Polo

minor

A minor character, possibly a tradesman.

Mrs. Alfred

minor

Also known as Alfred

Alfred Yule's wife, Marian's mother, an invalid.

Mrs. Haynes

minor

A neighbor or acquaintance.

Culpepper

minor

A minor character, possibly a publisher.

Mrs. Christopherson

minor

A friend of the Yule family.

Margaret Home

minor

Also known as Peg

A friend of the Milvain sisters.

Miss Wilkes

minor

Also known as Wilkes

A minor acquaintance.

Mrs. Jedwood

minor

Also known as Jedwood

Wife of the publisher Jedwood.

Mr. Holden

minor

Also known as this Mr. Holden

A minor character in the literary world.

Mrs. Willoughby

minor

A friend of the Milvain family.