The Getting of Wisdom · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Getting of Wisdom by Henry Handel Richardson.
Laura Rambotham
major
Also known as Laura, Miss Laura, II Laura, Miss Laura Tweedle Rambotham, Miss Rambotham, Daer Laura, little Laura, Laura Rambotham, drab little Laura, VIII Laura, History Laura, Laura
A bright, observant girl from the bush sent to boarding school in Melbourne, navigating social hierarchies and self-discovery.
Pin
supporting
Also known as Only Pin, little Pin, confused Pin
Laura's younger sister, left behind at home while Laura attends school.
Evelyn Souttar
supporting
Also known as Evelyn, Evvy
A wealthy, sophisticated schoolmate who becomes Laura's idol and later a source of painful lessons.
Mother
supporting
Also known as Nietzsche Mother, Mother'll
Laura and Pin's widowed mother, struggling to raise her daughters on limited means.
Bob
minor
Also known as Robby, Mr. Robby
A young man who flirts with Laura during her visit home, representing romantic temptation.
Mrs. Gurley
supporting
Also known as altogether Mrs. Gurley, old Gurley
The school's strict and gossipy matron who oversees the girls' daily lives.
Tilly Macnamara
supporting
Also known as Macnamara, Tilly
A boisterous, outspoken schoolgirl who befriends and later betrays Laura.
Miss Chapman
supporting
Also known as Elderly Miss Chapman, Only good old Chapman
A kind, elderly teacher at the school who shows Laura occasional warmth.
Maria Morell
supporting
Also known as Maria, May
A clever, sarcastic schoolgirl who becomes one of Laura's early friends.
Godmother
supporting
Laura's wealthy godmother who pays for her education but remains emotionally distant.
Sarah
minor
The family's loyal servant who helps raise Laura and Pin.
Marina
minor
Also known as the unobservant Marina
A dreamy, artistic schoolgirl who shares Laura's love of literature.
Mary Pidwall
minor
Also known as Mary
A quiet, studious schoolgirl who becomes Laura's friend.
M. P.
minor
A mysterious, unnamed schoolgirl referred to only by initials in Laura's circle.
Lilith Gordon
minor
Also known as Gordon, Lilith
A glamorous, rebellious older girl who fascinates and intimidates Laura.
Cupid
minor
A mischievous schoolgirl known for her pranks and sharp tongue.
Chinky
minor
A schoolgirl with a foreign-sounding nickname, part of Laura's social set.
Miss Snodgrass
minor
A strict, humorless teacher at the school.
Miss Day
minor
A young, pretty teacher who is kind to the girls.
Inez
minor
A wealthy, fashionable schoolgirl who looks down on Laura.
Mr. Strachey
minor
Also known as Mr. and Mrs. Strachey, Mrs. Strachey
A local gentleman who hosts social events Laura attends.
Cousin Grace
minor
Laura's older cousin who visits and offers worldly advice.
Miss Isabella Shepherd
minor
Also known as Miss Isabella, Isabella
A teacher at the school, known for her piety and strictness.
Annie Johns
minor
Also known as Miss Johns, Miss Annie Johns, Annie
A plain, hardworking schoolgirl who is often teased.
Bertha Ramsay
minor
Also known as Bertha
A schoolgirl who becomes a close friend of Laura's.
Patrick O'Donnell
minor
Also known as O'Donnell
A young man who shows romantic interest in Laura.
Mr. Shepherd
minor
Also known as old Shepherd, thin, poorly-fed Mr. Shepherd
A local tradesman and father of a schoolgirl.
Miss Zielinski
minor
A music teacher at the school, known for her eccentricity.
Dr. Pughson
minor
The school's doctor, called in for student illnesses.
Lucy
minor
Also known as Lucy of Toorak, young Lucy
A wealthy schoolgirl from a prominent Melbourne family.
Peter
minor
A young man who works on the family property and flirts with Laura.
Joey
minor
Also known as Little Jo
A young boy, possibly a relative or neighbor of Laura's family.
Miss Hicks
minor
A teacher at the school, known for her sharp temper.
Mr. Repton
minor
A visiting clergyman who gives a sermon at the school.
Mrs. Shepherd
minor
The wife of Mr. Shepherd, a local tradesman.
Little Frank
minor
Also known as Frank
A young boy who appears briefly in Laura's home life.
Kate Horner
minor
Also known as Kate
A schoolgirl who is part of Laura's social circle.
Georgy
minor
A young boy, possibly a relative of Laura's family.
Old Anne
minor
Also known as old Anne, Anne, Nana
An elderly servant in the Rambotham household.
Leppie
minor
A schoolgirl with a nickname, part of Laura's cohort.
Maggie
minor
Also known as Maisie
A schoolgirl who appears briefly in the narrative.
Uncle Tom
minor
Laura's uncle who visits the family occasionally.
Lolo
minor
Also known as the birdlike Lolo
A delicate, bird-like schoolgirl who is a friend of Laura's.
Georgina
minor
A schoolgirl mentioned in passing as part of the group.
Robert
minor
A young man who appears briefly in Laura's social life.
Poppet
minor
A young child, possibly a sibling or neighbor of Laura's.
Miss Perrotet
minor
A teacher at the school, mentioned briefly.
Mrs. Paget
minor
A local woman who hosts a social gathering Laura attends.
Nelly Bristow
minor
A schoolgirl mentioned briefly in the narrative.
Jim Chapman
minor
Also known as Jim
A young man who appears briefly in Laura's social circle.
