# Summer — Character guide

> Key figures in Summer by Edith Wharton.

- [Charity Royall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/charity_royall.md): A young woman raised by Lawyer Royall, torn between duty and desire in a small New England town.
- [Lucius Harney](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/lucius_harney.md): An architect from the city who becomes the object of Charity's romantic fascination.
- [Lawyer Royall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/lawyer_royall.md): Charity's guardian, a stern and respected lawyer with a hidden past.
- [Ally Hawes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/ally_hawes.md): Charity's kind and loyal friend who works as a seamstress.
- [Old Miss Hatchard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/old_miss_hatchard.md): An elderly spinster and local benefactor who sponsors the library.
- [Mr. Miles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/mr_miles.md): The local minister who provides moral guidance to the community.
- [Liff Hyatt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/liff_hyatt.md): A rough young man from the mountain settlement, part of the Hyatt clan.
- [Dr. Merkle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/dr_merkle.md): A doctor in a nearby town who treats Charity during a crisis.
- [Julia Hawes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/julia_hawes.md): Ally's disgraced sister who left town under scandalous circumstances.
- [Old Verena Marsh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/old_verena_marsh.md): An elderly woman from the mountain who knows Charity's origins.
- [Annabel Balch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/annabel_balch.md): A wealthy young woman from the city who represents the life Charity cannot have.
- [Orma Fry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/orma_fry.md): A local girl who works at the post office and gossips with others.
- [Mrs. Royall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/mrs_royall.md): Lawyer Royall's deceased wife, mentioned in passing as part of his past.
- [Old Mrs. Hobart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/old_mrs_hobart.md): A local widow who takes in boarders and knows everyone's business.
- [Honorius Hatchard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/honorius_hatchard.md): Miss Hatchard's deceased brother, a former judge mentioned in town history.
- [Carrick Fry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/carrick_fry.md): A local man who helps with town business and is Orma's relative.
- [Dan Targatt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/dan_targatt.md): An old mountain man who occasionally appears in town.
- [Ben Fry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/ben_fry.md): A local youth who works as a stable hand.
- [Eudora Skeff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/eudora_skeff.md): A woman from the mountain with a tragic story, known to Charity.
- [Mary Hyatt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/mary_hyatt.md): A member of the Hyatt family, possibly related to Liff.
- [Bash Hyatt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/characters/bash_hyatt.md): Another Hyatt clan member, known for his rough demeanor.

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