Poetry · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
Unknown Narrator
major
Also known as thy, thee, myself, Mine, Your
The primary narrative voice and focal character throughout the book.
Moses
major
Also known as The Parting Moses
Biblical leader who parts the Red Sea and guides Israel from Egypt.
Pharaoh
supporting
Egyptian ruler who opposes Moses and the Israelites' exodus.
The People
supporting
Also known as the People, ye, Their, their
Collective group representing the masses, often the Israelites or oppressed.
Princess Charmian
supporting
Also known as Charmian
A royal figure, possibly Egyptian, involved in the narrative.
Christ
major
Also known as The tender loving Christ
Central religious figure, referenced as a source of love and salvation.
Jesus
supporting
The human incarnation of Christ, appearing in narrative scenes.
Israel
supporting
The nation or people of Israel, often personified in the text.
Rhadma
supporting
A character with significant pronoun references, possibly a narrator or focal figure.
Mistus
supporting
Also known as old Mistus, Old Mistus
An older female figure, likely a slave owner or matriarch.
Simon
supporting
A biblical figure, possibly Simon Peter, appearing in later chapters.
Mary
supporting
Also known as Ann Jess, the Hannah
A female character, possibly the Virgin Mary or a slave woman.
Uncle Jacob
minor
An older male character, likely a slave or family elder.
Vashti
minor
Biblical queen who refuses to appear before the king, a symbol of defiance.
Mister Thomas
minor
Also known as dearest Thomas
A male character addressed affectionately, possibly a slave or family member.
Rizpah
minor
Biblical figure who guards the bodies of her sons, a symbol of maternal grief.
Joseph
minor
Also known as Joe
Biblical figure sold into slavery who rises to power in Egypt.
Jethro
minor
Moses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian who offers counsel.
Two Brethren Striving
minor
Also known as two brethren striving For mastery
Two brothers in conflict, possibly representing Cain and Abel.
Aunt Chloe
minor
Also known as Chloe
An older female slave or domestic figure in the narrative.
Horeb
minor
The mountain where Moses encounters the burning bush and receives the law.
Brother Benny
minor
Also known as Bennie
A young male character, possibly a sibling or friend.
The Hero
minor
A generic heroic figure, possibly representing an ideal or specific person.
Our Hero
minor
Also known as Our Hero
A heroic figure central to the narrative, possibly a martyr or leader.
Belshazzar
minor
Babylonian king who sees the handwriting on the wall.
Daniel
minor
Biblical prophet who interprets dreams and survives the lions' den.
Priests of On
minor
Also known as the priests of On
Egyptian priests from the city of On, possibly involved in religious conflict.
Pharaoh's Officers
minor
Also known as Pharaoh's officers
Officials serving under Pharaoh in the Egyptian court.
Jonas Handy
minor
A named character, possibly a slave or worker.
Master
minor
Generic term for a slave owner or authority figure.
Zombi
minor
A character who dies, possibly a slave or mythical figure.
Nehemiah
minor
Biblical figure who rebuilds Jerusalem's walls.
Egypt
minor
The land of Egypt, often personified as a character.
Aaron
minor
Moses' brother and high priest of Israel.
Isis
minor
Egyptian goddess, referenced in the narrative.
Amorphel
minor
A named character, possibly a biblical or historical figure.
Joshua
minor
Moses' successor who leads Israel into Canaan.
Jakey
minor
Also known as O Jakey
A young male character, possibly a child or slave.
Poor Chloe
minor
Also known as Chloe
A female character in distress, possibly a slave.
Our Faithful Martyr Hero
minor
A martyr figure, possibly representing a specific historical person.
Mizraim
minor
Biblical name for Egypt, sometimes personified.
Miriam
minor
Moses' sister, a prophetess who leads the women in song.
Mister Lincoln
minor
Also known as Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln, referenced in the context of emancipation.
Amram
minor
Father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
David Rand
minor
Also known as David
A named character, possibly a slave or free man.
Lo
minor
An exclamation personified, possibly a poetic device.
Sinai
minor
The mountain where God gives the Ten Commandments.
Death
minor
Personification of death, a recurring figure in the narrative.
Naomi
minor
Biblical figure, mother-in-law of Ruth, from the Book of Ruth.
Jamie
minor
Also known as little Jamie
A young child, possibly a son or nephew.
Father
minor
Also known as Dear Father
A paternal figure, possibly God or a human father.
Sarah
minor
Also known as Sarah Pennock
A female character, possibly a slave or biblical figure.
The Valkyrs
minor
Norse mythological figures who choose slain warriors.
Uncle Caldwell
minor
An older male character, likely a slave or family member.
Tim Thompson
minor
A named character, possibly a slave or worker.
Eva
minor
A female character, possibly a child or young woman.
Nechos
minor
An Egyptian pharaoh, possibly Necho II.
Asenath
minor
Joseph's Egyptian wife, daughter of Potiphera.
Osiris
minor
Egyptian god of the underworld, referenced in the narrative.
Heth
minor
Biblical figure, ancestor of the Hittites.
Nebo
minor
Babylonian god of wisdom, or a mountain in Moab.
Aunt Kitty
minor
An older female character, likely a slave or domestic.
Milly Green
minor
A named female character, possibly a slave.
Ruth
minor
Biblical figure who stays with Naomi, from the Book of Ruth.
Gideon
minor
Biblical judge who defeats the Midianites.
Japan
minor
The country of Japan, possibly personified in the text.
Sparrow
minor
A bird, possibly personified or used as a symbol.
