Character guide

Angela Murray

major

Also known as Little Angela Murray, Miss Angela, Angel, Angela radiant

A young woman navigating race, art, and romance in 1920s Philadelphia and New York.

Virginia Murray

supporting

Also known as brown Virginia, Miss Virginia, Virginia Wednesday, innocent Virginia, little Virginia, V Virginia, V

Angela's younger sister, who remains close to their family and heritage.

Anthony Cross

major

Also known as Cross, Presently Cross

A wealthy white artist who becomes Angela's lover and artistic inspiration.

Jinny

supporting

Also known as Jenny, Wise Jinny

Angela's close friend and confidante, often offering practical advice.

Roger Fielding

supporting

Also known as III, Fielding, Mrs. Roger Fielding, Undoubtedly Roger, Carlotta Roger, Carlotta

A wealthy white suitor who pursues Angela despite her mixed-race background.

Martha Burden

minor

Also known as the slate-eyed Martha Burden, old Martha

A sharp-tongued boarding house owner in New York.

Paulette Lister

minor

Also known as Miss Lister

A sophisticated white socialite and friend of Roger Fielding.

Rachel Salting

minor

A Jewish friend of Angela's in New York's art scene.

Ralph Ashley

minor

Also known as Ashley

A white artist and acquaintance of Anthony Cross.

Junius Murray

supporting

Also known as Junius Murray

Angela and Virginia's father, a respected postal worker.

Angèle Mory

minor

Also known as Mory, Miss Mory, Miss Angèle Mory, Poor Angèle

A French artist and friend of Angela in New York.

June Mary Hastings

minor

Also known as Mary Hastings, June

A young woman from Angela's Philadelphia circle.

Mrs. Denver

minor

Angela's landlady in New York.

Madame Sylvio

minor

Also known as Madame

A fashionable dressmaker who employs Angela briefly.

Van Meier

minor

A Dutch art dealer who shows interest in Angela's work.

Hettie Daniels

minor

Also known as Hetty Daniels, Hetty

A friend of Virginia's from the black community in Philadelphia.

Esther Bayliss

minor

Also known as little Esther Bayliss

A young girl who boards with Martha Burden.

Elizabeth Sandburg

minor

Also known as Lizzie

A friend of the Murray family in Philadelphia.

Arthur Sawyer

minor

Also known as Sawyer

A white artist and acquaintance from the art school.

F. Seymour Porter

minor

Also known as Porter, Seymour Porter

A white critic and patron of the arts.

Mrs. Murray

supporting

Angela and Virginia's mother, who passes for white.

Carlotta Parks

minor

Also known as Miss Parks

A black socialite and friend of Virginia's.

Anthony Hall

minor

Also known as old Anthony Hall, Little Anthony

An elderly black man from the Philadelphia neighborhood.

Jack Hudson

minor

Also known as Hudson

A white artist and friend of Anthony Cross.

Ladislas Starr

minor

Also known as Starr, old Starr

An older white artist and mentor figure.

Sara Penton

minor

A white socialite and friend of Paulette Lister.

John Banky

minor

Also known as Banky

A white artist and acquaintance in New York.

Haynes Brokinaw

minor

Also known as Brokinaw

A white artist and friend of Anthony Cross.

Mr. Shields

minor

Also known as Shields, the Shields, Mr. Shield

A white neighbor of the Murray family.

Miss Tilden

minor

A white teacher at the art school.

Miss Henderson

minor

A white woman who boards at Martha Burden's.

Mattie Murray

minor

Also known as Maude, Matthew, Matt

A cousin of the Murray family from the South.

John Hall

minor

A black man from the Philadelphia neighborhood.

Sanchez

minor

A Spanish artist acquaintance in New York.

Howard

minor

A white suitor of Virginia's from Philadelphia.

Mr. Cross

minor

Anthony Cross's father, a wealthy white businessman.

Old Man Fielding

minor

Roger Fielding's father, a wealthy white patriarch.

Miss Murray

minor

An elderly white neighbor of the Murrays.

Mr. Hallowell

minor

A white art dealer in New York.

Agnes Hallowell

minor

Mr. Hallowell's daughter, a young white socialite.

Walter Sandburg

minor

Also known as Walt

Elizabeth Sandburg's husband, a white businessman.

Héloise

minor

A French model and friend of Angèle Mory.

Mrs. Henrietta Jones

minor

Also known as Mrs. Jones

A black woman from the Philadelphia community.

Mr. Kirby

minor

Also known as Kirby

A white art teacher at the school.

Mr. Paget

minor

Also known as Paget

A white art critic and reviewer.

Maria Cruz

minor

A Spanish model in New York.

Tom Haley

minor

Also known as Haley

A white artist and friend of Anthony Cross.

Gertrude Quale

minor

Also known as Gertie

A white woman who boards at Martha Burden's.

Edna Brown

minor

Also known as Brown

A black friend of Virginia's from Philadelphia.

Mrs. Shields

minor

Mr. Shields's wife, a white neighbor.

Miss Burden

minor

Martha Burden's sister, who visits the boarding house.

Louise Andrews

minor

Also known as Miss Andrews, a Miss Louise Andrews

A white socialite and friend of Paulette Lister.