Poetry · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Poetry by Langston Hughes.
Unknown
major
Also known as me, I'se, Ai, Myself, mine, yo
The pervasive first-person narrator or focal character throughout many poems.
Cora
supporting
Also known as Corinne Ann, Corrine, Anne
A woman addressed or referenced in several poems, often with intimate or sorrowful tones.
Ma Lord
supporting
Also known as Ma Lord ai n't no stuck up man
A colloquial, reverent figure addressed in spiritual or blues-like poems.
Mister Sandman
minor
Also known as The Sandman, the Sandman
A mythical figure who brings dreams, appearing in a poem of the same name.
Pierrot
supporting
A classic sad clown character appearing in multiple poems, often reflecting on love and art.
Aunt Sue
supporting
Also known as Sue
A maternal storyteller figure who shares tales with children.
Willy
minor
Also known as a Vanquished Beau Willy
A lovelorn young man lamenting a lost romance.
Joy
minor
An abstract personification of happiness, addressed in several poems.
Gypsy Man
minor
Also known as Gypsy, ma
A wandering, romantic figure appearing in poems about love and travel.
Mona
minor
A woman addressed in a poem titled after her, likely a lover or muse.
Ma Jesus
minor
Also known as Ma old time daddy
A colloquial, affectionate reference to Jesus or a father figure in spiritual poems.
Evil Woman
minor
A woman characterized as malicious or unfaithful in a blues poem.
Fascination
minor
A personified concept of allure and captivation in a poem.
Ruby Brown
minor
Also known as herself
A woman whose story is told in a poem about urban life and temptation.
Baby Albert
minor
Also known as Albert
A child figure mentioned in a poem about innocence or loss.
Death
supporting
The personification of death, addressed in several poems as a lover or ender.
Young Sailor
minor
A youthful seafarer appearing in a poem about longing or adventure.
Daddy
minor
Also known as Hard Daddy
A stern or beloved father figure in blues and family poems.
Beauty
minor
A personified ideal of beauty, addressed in several poems.
John
minor
Also known as Said Simple John, Simple John
A simple, wise man who speaks in a poem about life and truth.
Susanna Jones
minor
Also known as Jones
A woman celebrated in a poem for her beauty and grace.
Jesus
minor
Also known as Lord Jesus
The central Christian figure, invoked in prayers and spiritual poems.
Clorinda
minor
A woman who speaks in a poem, possibly a lover or friend.
Hound dawg
minor
A dog mentioned in a blues poem, symbolizing loyalty or trouble.
Wise Men
minor
Biblical magi or sages referenced in a poem about wisdom.
Sun
minor
The personified sun, addressed in poems about warmth and life.
Lawd
minor
A colloquial address to God in spiritual or blues poems.
Fairies
minor
Also known as their
Magical beings appearing in a poem about childhood or fantasy.
Mary
minor
Also known as Mary Jane
A woman addressed in poems about love or daily life.
Liza
minor
A woman named in a poem, likely a lover or companion.
Misery
minor
Also known as ma
Personified sorrow, addressed in blues poems.
Anne Spencer
minor
A real-life poet and friend, honored in a poem about her table.
