# Shirley — Character guide

> Key figures in Shirley by Charlotte Brontë.

- [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone.md): A quiet, thoughtful young woman living with her uncle, who becomes a central figure in the story.
- [Shirley Keeldar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/shirley_keeldar.md): A spirited heiress who becomes Caroline's friend and a force for change in the community.
- [Robert Moore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/robert_moore.md): A mill owner struggling with financial troubles and social tensions in Yorkshire.
- [Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/louis_moore.md): Robert's brother, a tutor with a quiet demeanor and a deep connection to Shirley.
- [Mr. Helstone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mr_helstone.md): Caroline's uncle, a stern and opinionated clergyman.
- [Mr. Yorke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mr_yorke.md): A blunt, independent landowner and friend to the Moore family.
- [Mrs. Pryor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mrs_pryor.md): Shirley's former governess and a quiet, reserved woman with a hidden past.
- [Hortense Gérard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/hortense_gerard.md): Robert and Louis's sister, a strict and domestic woman.
- [Joe Scott](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/joe_scott.md): Robert Moore's loyal and outspoken mill overseer.
- [Mrs. Yorke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mrs_yorke.md): Mr. Yorke's sharp-tongued and practical wife.
- [Henry Sympson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/henry_sympson.md): Shirley's young, intelligent, and disabled cousin.
- [Rose Yorke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/rose_yorke.md): The thoughtful and literary daughter of the Yorke family.
- [Sir Philip Nunnely](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/sir_philip_nunnely.md): A young baronet and aspiring poet who courts Shirley.
- [William Farren](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/william_farren.md): A poor but principled worker who advocates for the laboring class.
- [Mr. Sympson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mr_sympson.md): Shirley's uncle, a conventional and domineering man.
- [Jessy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/jessy.md): Henry Sympson's lively and impulsive sister.
- [Martin Yorke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/martin_yorke.md): The mischievous and clever son of Mr. Yorke.
- [Mary Cave](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mary_cave.md): The long-dead love of Mr. Helstone and Mr. Yorke.
- [Mike Hartley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mike_hartley.md): A half-mad weaver and religious fanatic.
- [Mr. Sweeting](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mr_sweeting.md): A good-natured and somewhat timid curate.
- [Dr. Boultby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/dr_boultby.md): The portly and worldly vicar of Whinbury.
- [Moses Barraclough](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/moses_barraclough.md): A hypocritical Methodist leader and frame-breaker.
- [Miss Moore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/miss_moore.md): A relative of the Moores, possibly an aunt.
- [Mrs. Horsfall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mrs_horsfall.md): A rough nurse who tends to Robert after an attack.
- [Mr. Wynne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mr_wynne.md): A young man who courts one of the Sympson girls.
- [Captain Keeldar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/captain_keeldar.md): Shirley's deceased father, a merchant and captain.
- [MacTurk](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/macturk.md): A young man who attends the school feast.
- [Phoebe Shirley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/phoebe_shirley.md): An ancestor of Shirley's mentioned in the story.
- [Mrs. Moore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/mrs_moore.md): The deceased mother of Robert and Louis.
- [Noah of Tim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters/noah_of_tim.md): A local character mentioned in the story.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shirley_se/characters