Character guide

Dr. William Miller

major

Also known as Dr. Miller, William, Miller, Billy, Only Miller

A skilled black doctor who navigates racial tensions in Wellington.

Sandy Campbell

major

Also known as Sandy, old Sandy, Brother Sandy, Campbell

A loyal black servant who becomes a victim of racial injustice.

Mrs. Carteret

major

Also known as Carteret, XV Mrs. Carteret, The Missing Papers Mrs. Carteret

The white wife of Major Carteret, struggling with family secrets.

Tom Delamere

major

Also known as Delamere, Tom, Meanwhile Delamere

A dissolute young white man who commits a heinous crime.

Mr. Ellis

supporting

Also known as Ellis, Ellis Mr. Ellis

A newspaper editor and friend to Major Carteret.

Old Mr. Delamere

supporting

Also known as Mr. Delamere, Old Mr. Delamere, young Delamere, young Mr. Delamere

A dignified elderly white man, Tom's grandfather.

Major Carteret

major

Also known as Carteret, a Carteret, Major, Major Philip Carteret, Phil

A white supremacist newspaper editor and political leader.

Jerry Letlow

supporting

Also known as Jerry, Jerry Letlow

A black servant who works for the Carteret household.

Polly Ochiltree

supporting

Also known as Polly, Mrs. Ochiltree, old Mrs. Polly Ochiltree, Ochiltree

An elderly white woman with a sharp tongue and family secrets.

Captain George McBane

supporting

Also known as George, Captain McBane, McBane, George McBane

A ruthless white supremacist and political operative.

Mammy Jane

supporting

Also known as old Jane, Jane, ole Jane, Old Mammy Jane, Old Jane

An elderly black nurse who serves the Carteret family.

Josh Green

supporting

Also known as Josh, Green, big Josh Green

A black man who leads a resistance against white violence.

Janet Miller

supporting

Also known as Janet, VI Janet, Meantime Janet

Dr. Miller's wife, a light-skinned black woman with a secret.

Dr. Alvin Burns

minor

Also known as Dr. Burns, Burns

A white doctor who assists Dr. Miller in a critical operation.

Miss Clara Pemberton

supporting

Also known as Miss Clara, Clara, Clara Pemberton

A young white woman courted by Tom Delamere and Mr. Ellis.

Dr. Price

minor

Also known as Dr. Price, Telephone Dr. Price, A Dr. Price, Price

A white doctor who participates in the operation on Dodie.

Mr. Watson

minor

Also known as Watson, Ef Mr. Watson

A white man who interacts with the black community.

Sister Olivia

minor

Also known as Olivia, Sister, sister Olivia

A religious black woman, possibly related to the Miller family.

Julia Brown

minor

Also known as Julia, Brown, Julia Brown

A black woman who appears in the narrative.

General Belmont

minor

Also known as Belmont

A white political figure involved in the white supremacy campaign.

Adam Miller

minor

Also known as sence ole Adam

An older black man, possibly Dr. Miller's father.

Dinah

minor

Also known as Aunt Dinah

A black cook or servant in the Carteret household.

Little Dodie

minor

Also known as Dodie, Little Dodie

The infant son of Major and Mrs. Carteret.

Dr. Evans

minor

Also known as Evans

A white doctor who appears briefly.

Mars John

minor

Also known as Mars

A white man referred to by black characters.

Sally

minor

Also known as black Sally

A black woman mentioned in the narrative.

Mr. Merkell

minor

Also known as dear Mr. Merkell

A white man, possibly related to Olivia Merkell.

Lee Ellis

minor

Also known as Ellis

A young white man, possibly related to Mr. Ellis.

Mrs. Miller

minor

Also known as Miller

Dr. Miller's mother, a black woman.

Olivia Carteret

minor

Also known as Olivia

Mrs. Carteret's full name, used rarely.

Hugh Poindexter

minor

A white man mentioned in passing.

Aunt Jane Letlow

minor

Also known as Aunt Jane, Jane, old Aunt Jane Letlow

An elderly black woman, possibly related to Jerry.

Barber

minor

A black barber who appears briefly.

Dr. Ashe

minor

Also known as Ashe

A white doctor mentioned in the narrative.

Augustus

minor

Also known as Gus

A black man who appears in the story.

John Delamere

minor

A member of the Delamere family, possibly Tom's father.

Jeff

minor

A black man mentioned in the narrative.

Dr. Yates

minor

Also known as Try Dr. Yates

A white doctor mentioned in the narrative.