# The Getting of Wisdom — Character guide

> Key figures in The Getting of Wisdom by Henry Handel Richardson.

- [Laura Rambotham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/laura_rambotham.md): A bright, observant girl from the bush sent to boarding school in Melbourne, navigating social hierarchies and self-discovery.
- [Pin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/pin.md): Laura's younger sister, left behind at home while Laura attends school.
- [Evelyn Souttar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/evelyn_souttar.md): A wealthy, sophisticated schoolmate who becomes Laura's idol and later a source of painful lessons.
- [Mother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mother.md): Laura and Pin's widowed mother, struggling to raise her daughters on limited means.
- [Bob](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/bob.md): A young man who flirts with Laura during her visit home, representing romantic temptation.
- [Mrs. Gurley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mrs_gurley.md): The school's strict and gossipy matron who oversees the girls' daily lives.
- [Tilly Macnamara](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/tilly_macnamara.md): A boisterous, outspoken schoolgirl who befriends and later betrays Laura.
- [Miss Chapman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/miss_chapman.md): A kind, elderly teacher at the school who shows Laura occasional warmth.
- [Maria Morell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/maria_morell.md): A clever, sarcastic schoolgirl who becomes one of Laura's early friends.
- [Godmother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/godmother.md): Laura's wealthy godmother who pays for her education but remains emotionally distant.
- [Sarah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/sarah.md): The family's loyal servant who helps raise Laura and Pin.
- [Marina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/marina.md): A dreamy, artistic schoolgirl who shares Laura's love of literature.
- [Mary Pidwall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mary_pidwall.md): A quiet, studious schoolgirl who becomes Laura's friend.
- [M. P.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/m_p.md): A mysterious, unnamed schoolgirl referred to only by initials in Laura's circle.
- [Lilith Gordon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/lilith_gordon.md): A glamorous, rebellious older girl who fascinates and intimidates Laura.
- [Cupid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/cupid.md): A mischievous schoolgirl known for her pranks and sharp tongue.
- [Chinky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/chinky.md): A schoolgirl with a foreign-sounding nickname, part of Laura's social set.
- [Miss Snodgrass](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/miss_snodgrass.md): A strict, humorless teacher at the school.
- [Miss Day](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/miss_day.md): A young, pretty teacher who is kind to the girls.
- [Inez](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/inez.md): A wealthy, fashionable schoolgirl who looks down on Laura.
- [Mr. Strachey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mr_strachey.md): A local gentleman who hosts social events Laura attends.
- [Cousin Grace](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/cousin_grace.md): Laura's older cousin who visits and offers worldly advice.
- [Miss Isabella Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/miss_isabella_shepherd.md): A teacher at the school, known for her piety and strictness.
- [Annie Johns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/annie_johns.md): A plain, hardworking schoolgirl who is often teased.
- [Bertha Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/bertha_ramsay.md): A schoolgirl who becomes a close friend of Laura's.
- [Patrick O'Donnell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/patrick_odonnell.md): A young man who shows romantic interest in Laura.
- [Mr. Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mr_shepherd.md): A local tradesman and father of a schoolgirl.
- [Miss Zielinski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/miss_zielinski.md): A music teacher at the school, known for her eccentricity.
- [Dr. Pughson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/dr_pughson.md): The school's doctor, called in for student illnesses.
- [Lucy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/lucy.md): A wealthy schoolgirl from a prominent Melbourne family.
- [Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/peter.md): A young man who works on the family property and flirts with Laura.
- [Joey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/joey.md): A young boy, possibly a relative or neighbor of Laura's family.
- [Miss Hicks](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/miss_hicks.md): A teacher at the school, known for her sharp temper.
- [Mr. Repton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mr_repton.md): A visiting clergyman who gives a sermon at the school.
- [Mrs. Shepherd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mrs_shepherd.md): The wife of Mr. Shepherd, a local tradesman.
- [Little Frank](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/little_frank.md): A young boy who appears briefly in Laura's home life.
- [Kate Horner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/kate_horner.md): A schoolgirl who is part of Laura's social circle.
- [Georgy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/georgy.md): A young boy, possibly a relative of Laura's family.
- [Old Anne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/old_anne.md): An elderly servant in the Rambotham household.
- [Leppie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/leppie.md): A schoolgirl with a nickname, part of Laura's cohort.
- [Maggie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/maggie.md): A schoolgirl who appears briefly in the narrative.
- [Uncle Tom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/uncle_tom.md): Laura's uncle who visits the family occasionally.
- [Lolo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/lolo.md): A delicate, bird-like schoolgirl who is a friend of Laura's.
- [Georgina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/georgina.md): A schoolgirl mentioned in passing as part of the group.
- [Robert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/robert.md): A young man who appears briefly in Laura's social life.
- [Poppet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/poppet.md): A young child, possibly a sibling or neighbor of Laura's.
- [Miss Perrotet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/miss_perrotet.md): A teacher at the school, mentioned briefly.
- [Mrs. Paget](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/mrs_paget.md): A local woman who hosts a social gathering Laura attends.
- [Nelly Bristow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/nelly_bristow.md): A schoolgirl mentioned briefly in the narrative.
- [Jim Chapman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/characters/jim_chapman.md): A young man who appears briefly in Laura's social circle.

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