The Blacker the Berry · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Blacker the Berry by Wallace Thurman.
Emma Lou Morgan
major
Also known as Emma Lou, Lou, Louie
Dark-skinned protagonist navigating colorism and identity in Harlem.
Alva Junior
major
Also known as Alva, little Alva Junior, Alva Jr.
Emma Lou's love interest, a light-skinned man with a wandering eye.
Braxton
supporting
Also known as Brax
Emma Lou's college acquaintance who courts her briefly.
Geraldine
supporting
A light-skinned friend who embodies color prejudice within the community.
Hazel Mason
supporting
Also known as vulgar Hazel Mason
A dark-skinned woman Emma Lou disdains for her perceived vulgarity.
Arline Strange
supporting
Also known as Strange, Arline
A light-skinned socialite and rival for Alva's attention.
Weldon Taylor
supporting
Also known as Weldon
A college student who shows interest in Emma Lou.
Gwendolyn Johnson
supporting
Also known as Gwendolyn
A friend of Emma Lou's in Harlem.
John
minor
Also known as poor John
A suitor Emma Lou rejects for being too dark.
Benson Brown
minor
Also known as Benson
A college friend of Emma Lou's brother.
Mrs. Blake
minor
Emma Lou's landlady in Harlem.
Anise Hamilton
minor
Also known as Anise
A friend of Emma Lou's from college.
Truman Walter
minor
Also known as Truman
A light-skinned man who flirts with Emma Lou.
Uncle Joe
minor
Also known as Joe
Emma Lou's uncle in Boise.
Verne Davis
minor
Also known as Verne, Only Verne Davis
A college acquaintance of Emma Lou.
Grace Giles
minor
Also known as Grace
A friend of Emma Lou's in Harlem.
Jane Morgan
minor
Also known as Jane
Emma Lou's mother.
Tony Crews
minor
Also known as Mr. Tony Crews, Tony
A musician and party host in Harlem.
Ray
minor
A friend of Alva's.
Bob Armstrong
minor
Also known as Bob, Bobby, Bobbie
A young man who dances with Emma Lou at a party.
Miss Morgan
minor
Emma Lou's aunt.
Aloysius Washington
minor
Also known as Aloysius
A college student who writes to Emma Lou.
Maria Lightfoot
minor
Also known as Marie
A friend of Emma Lou's from Boise.
Aloysius McNamara
minor
Also known as Aloysius
A college student who corresponds with Emma Lou.
Mr. Brown
minor
Also known as Brown
A teacher at Emma Lou's college.
Cora Thurston
minor
Also known as Cora
A light-skinned woman who snubs Emma Lou.
Miss Carrington
minor
A teacher at Emma Lou's college.
Paul
minor
Also known as Mr. Paul
A man who works at the Harlem YMCA.
Helen Wheaton
minor
Also known as Helen
A light-skinned woman in Harlem society.
Jasper Crane
minor
Also known as Jasper
A man who attends a party with Emma Lou.
Campbell Kitchen
minor
A writer and friend of Alva's.
Alma Martin
minor
Also known as Alma
A woman who works with Emma Lou.
Jasmine Griffith
minor
Also known as Jasmine
A friend of Emma Lou's in Harlem.
Jim Morgan
minor
Also known as Jim
Emma Lou's father.
Samuel Lightfoot
minor
Also known as Samuel, Mrs. Samuel Lightfoot
Maria's husband, a minister in Boise.
Amos Blaine
minor
Also known as Amos
A man who flirts with Emma Lou at a party.
Mr. Angus
minor
Also known as Angus
A man who attends a party with Emma Lou.
Sugar
minor
A woman at a Harlem party.
Aaron
minor
A man who works at the YMCA with Paul.
Clere Sloane
minor
Also known as Clere
A woman who attends a party with Emma Lou.
Tommy Brown
minor
Also known as Tommy
A young man at a Harlem party.
Mazelle Lindsay
minor
Also known as Mazelle
A woman who attends a party with Emma Lou.
Doris Garrett
minor
A woman who attends a party with Emma Lou.
Alta
minor
A woman who attends a party with Emma Lou.
