# So Big — Character guide

> Key figures in So Big by Edna Ferber.

- [Selina DeJong](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/selina_dejong.md): A determined young woman who becomes a teacher and later a farmer's wife in the High Prairie region.
- [Dirk DeJong](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/dirk_dejong.md): Selina's son, a sensitive and artistic young man who struggles with his family's expectations.
- [Dallas O'Mara](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/dallas_omara.md): A vibrant and independent woman who becomes a close friend and romantic interest to Dirk.
- [Roelf Pool](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/roelf_pool.md): A talented and ambitious young man from a poor farming family who becomes a sculptor.
- [Pauline](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/pauline.md): Selina's beautiful and somewhat frivolous friend who marries into wealth.
- [Pervus DeJong](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/pervus_dejong.md): Selina's husband, a stoic and hardworking Dutch farmer on the High Prairie.
- [Julie Hempel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/julie_hempel.md): Selina's wealthy and sophisticated friend from her school days in Chicago.
- [Maartje Pool](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/maartje_pool.md): Roelf's mother, a hardworking and traditional Dutch farm woman.
- [Klaas Pool](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/klaas_pool.md): Roelf's father, a stern and conservative Dutch farmer.
- [Mattie Schwengauer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/mattie_schwengauer.md): A neighbor girl on the prairie who becomes a friend to Selina.
- [Adam Ooms](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/adam_ooms.md): A young man from the Dutch community who courts Selina briefly.
- [August Hempel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/august_hempel.md): Julie's wealthy and domineering father, a Chicago business magnate.
- [Simeon Peake](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/simeon_peake.md): Selina's father, a cultured and somewhat impractical dreamer.
- [Widow Paarlenberg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/widow_paarlenberg.md): A wealthy widow in the Dutch community who takes an interest in Selina.
- [Chris Spanknoebel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/chris_spanknoebel.md): A hired hand on the DeJong farm who becomes a friend to the family.
- [Theodore A. Storm](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/theodore_storm.md): A wealthy young man who marries Pauline and becomes a patron of the arts.
- [Eugene Arnold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/eugene_arnold.md): Julie's husband, a successful but somewhat dull businessman.
- [Sobig DeJong](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/sobig_dejong.md): Selina and Pervus's younger son, who dies tragically in childhood.
- [Johannes Ambuul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/johannes_ambuul.md): An elderly neighbor on the prairie who tells stories of the old country.
- [Goris Von Vuuren](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/goris_von_vuuren.md): A fat and jovial Dutch farmer in the community.
- [Jakob Hoogendunk](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/jakob_hoogendunk.md): An old Dutch farmer known for his stubbornness.
- [Leendert Paarlenberg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/leendert_paarlenberg.md): The son of the Widow Paarlenberg, a young man in the community.
- [Mabel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/mabel.md): A young woman who works as a maid in the Hempel household.
- [Jozina Pool](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/jozina_pool.md): Roelf's sister, a quiet and dutiful farm girl.
- [Geertje Pool](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/geertje_pool.md): Another sister of Roelf who marries and moves away.
- [General Emile Goguet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/general_goguet.md): A French general and art collector who befriends Roelf in Paris.
- [Michael Arnold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/michael_arnold.md): Julie and Eugene's son, a friend of Dirk's from childhood.
- [Meena Bras](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/meena_bras.md): A young woman from the Dutch community who works as a servant.
- [Miss Fister](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/miss_fister.md): A strict schoolteacher in the prairie community.
- [Jan Snip](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/jan_snip.md): A Dutch farmer and neighbor on the prairie.
- [Reverend Dekker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/reverend_dekker.md): The minister of the Dutch Reformed church in the community.
- [Barend DeRoo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/barend_deroo.md): A Dutch farmer known for his large family.
- [Phil Emery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/phil_emery.md): A young man from Chicago who becomes a friend of Dirk's.
- [Ethelinda Quinn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/ethelinda_quinn.md): A teacher at the school where Selina works.
- [Mrs. Tebbitt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/mrs_tebbitt.md): A neighbor woman on the prairie who helps Selina.
- [Pom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/pom.md): The DeJong family dog, a loyal companion on the farm.
- [Mrs. Emery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/mrs_emery.md): Phil Emery's mother, a society woman in Chicago.
- [Peter Peel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/peter_peel.md): A young man from the Dutch community who courts Mattie.
- [Bert Colson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/bert_colson.md): A friend of Dirk's from his time in Chicago.
- [Mrs. Vander Sijde](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/mrs_vander_sijde.md): A neighbor woman who marries into the Pool family.
- [Kitty Blanchard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/kitty_blanchard.md): A large and boisterous woman who works as a cook.
- [Miss Lodge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/miss_lodge.md): A teacher at the school where Selina works.
- [Mrs. Hempel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/mrs_hempel.md): August Hempel's wife and Julie's mother.
- [Cornelius Van der Bilt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/cornelius_van_der_bilt.md): A wealthy businessman and friend of the Hempel family.
- [Mrs. Arnold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/mrs_arnold.md): Eugene Arnold's mother, a society matron.
- [Captain Stokes-Beatty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/so_big_se/characters/captain_stokes_beatty.md): An English officer who appears briefly in the story.

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