Character guide

Alexandra Bergson

major

Also known as Alexandra, V Alexandra, III Alexandra

Strong-willed pioneer woman who takes over the family farm after her father's death.

Emil Bergson

major

Also known as Emil, II Emil, XI Emil, Emil Bergson

Alexandra's youngest brother, a sensitive and ambitious young man.

Frank Shabata

major

Also known as Frank, Shabata, Poor Frank

Marie's jealous and volatile husband, a French immigrant farmer.

Marie Shabata

major

Also known as Marie, Maria, Shabata

Vivacious and beautiful young wife of Frank, beloved by many.

Carl Linstrum

major

Also known as Carl, Linstrum

Alexandra's childhood friend and later love interest, an artist.

Crazy Ivar

supporting

Also known as Ivar, old Ivar, Old Ivar

Eccentric but wise old man who lives on the Bergson land.

Lou Bergson

supporting

Also known as Lou, Bergson, Louis, Lou Bergson

Alexandra's older brother, practical and somewhat narrow-minded.

Marie Tovesky

supporting

Also known as little Marie Tovesky

Young Marie as a child before her marriage to Frank Shabata.

Oscar Bergson

supporting

Also known as Oscar, Uncle Oscar

Alexandra's older brother, a stolid and hardworking farmer.

Amédée Chevalier

supporting

Also known as Amédée, Poor Amédée

Emil's cheerful French friend and fellow farmer.

Signa

supporting

Also known as II Signa, Little Signa

Swedish hired girl who works for the Bergson family.

Old Mrs. Lee

supporting

Also known as Lee, Poor old Mrs. Lee, Old Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Lee

Alexandra's elderly mother-in-law from her brother's marriage.

John Bergson

minor

Also known as Bergson, John

Alexandra's father, who dies early in the story.

Mrs. Bergson

minor

Alexandra's mother, a traditional Swedish immigrant woman.

Milly

minor

Young girl who works for the Bergsons.

Annie Lee

minor

Also known as Lee, Annie

Lou Bergson's wife, a practical farm woman.

Angélique Chevalier

minor

Also known as Angélique

Amédée's wife, a gentle French woman.

Father Duchesne

minor

Also known as Father

Catholic priest in the French settlement.

Nelse Jensen

minor

Also known as Nelse

Swedish farmhand who works for the Bergsons.

Raoul Marcel

minor

Also known as Raoul, Marcel

French boy who works at the mill.

Peter Kralik

minor

Bohemian farmhand in the neighborhood.

Carrie Jensen

minor

Nelse Jensen's wife, a Swedish farm woman.

Old Tovesky

minor

Marie's father, a prosperous Bohemian farmer.

Mrs. Hiller

minor

Also known as Hiller, Old Mrs. Hiller

Neighbor woman who helps with births and illnesses.

Charley Fuller

minor

Also known as Fuller

Young man who courts Marie before her marriage.

Mr. Schwartz

minor

Jewish merchant in the town.

Joe Tovesky

minor

Also known as Joe

Marie's brother, a Bohemian farmer.

Albert Tovesky

minor

Also known as Bertie

Marie's younger brother, a boy.

Mr. Linstrum

minor

Also known as poor Mr. Linstrum

Carl's father, a struggling farmer who moves away.

Xavier Chevalier

minor

Also known as Mrs. Xavier Chevalier, Mrs. Xavier, old Mrs. Chevalier

Amédée's mother, an old French woman.

Jan Smirka

minor

Also known as Jan

Bohemian farmhand in the neighborhood.

Hector Baptiste

minor

Also known as Baptiste

French boy who works at the mill.

Brigham

minor

Young man who works for the Bergsons.

Barney Flinn

minor

Also known as Today Barney Flinn

Irish farmhand who works for the Bergsons.

Old Napoleon Brunot

minor

Also known as old Brunot

Old French settler in the neighborhood.

Pierre Seguin

minor

Also known as old Pierre

Old French farmer in the neighborhood.