Character guide

Helga Crane

major

Also known as Helga, Frantically Helga Crane, Instinctively Helga, the obscure Helga, Impatient Helga Crane, XII Helga Crane, Ida Ross Helga, Frøken Helga, VI Helga, Dear Helga, Little Helga, Miss Crane

A mixed-race woman searching for belonging and identity across America and Europe.

Reverend Mr. Pleasant Green

supporting

Also known as the grandiloquent Reverend Mr. Pleasant Green, The Reverend Mr. Pleasant Green

A preacher in Alabama who becomes Helga's husband.

James Vayle

supporting

Also known as Jim Vayle, Vayle

Helga's former fiancé from Naxos, a conventional and ambitious man.

Anne Ibsen

supporting

Also known as Anne

Helga's friend in Copenhagen, a sophisticated and artistic woman.

Herr Axel Olsen

supporting

Also known as Herr Olsen, Axel Olsen, Olsen

A famous Danish painter who proposes marriage to Helga.

Anne Grey

supporting

Also known as the gentle Anne

Helga's friend in Harlem, a wealthy and socially conscious widow.

Mrs. Hayes-Rore

minor

Also known as Mrs. Hayes

A wealthy widow who employs Helga as a companion in Chicago.

Dr. Anderson

supporting

Also known as Robert Anderson

The principal of Naxos school, later a figure in Harlem.

Margaret Creighton

minor

Also known as the kindly Margaret

A teacher at Naxos who befriends Helga.

Aunt Katrina

supporting

Also known as Katrina

Helga's aunt in Copenhagen, who hosts her during her stay.

Uncle Poul

minor

Helga's uncle in Copenhagen, a wealthy and kind man.

Helen Tavenor

minor

Also known as Helen, Tavenor

A woman Helga meets in Chicago, part of the social scene.

Miss Hartley

minor

A teacher at Naxos, critical of Helga.

Uncle Peter

minor

Helga's uncle who sends her money after her father's death.

Fru Dahl

minor

A Danish woman who socializes with Helga in Copenhagen.

Audrey Denney

minor

Also known as Audrey

A glamorous woman in Harlem who attracts attention.

Herr Dahl

minor

A Danish man, husband of Fru Dahl.

Mr. Nilssen

minor

A neighbor in Copenhagen who visits the Dahls.

Maria Kirkeplads

minor

Also known as Marie

A servant in the Dahl household in Copenhagen.

Sary Jones

minor

Also known as Sary

A woman in the Alabama community where Helga lives.

Mrs. Nilssen

minor

Wife of Mr. Nilssen, a social acquaintance in Copenhagen.

Fru Fischer

minor

A Danish woman who gossips about Helga in Copenhagen.

Clementine Richards

minor

Also known as Clementine

A teacher at Naxos, part of the faculty.

Miss MacGooden

minor

A teacher at Naxos, strict and conventional.

The Dahls

minor

A Danish couple who host social gatherings in Copenhagen.

Mr. Darling

minor

A minor character in the Harlem social scene.