Character guide

Thea Kronborg

major

Also known as Thea, Miss Kronborg, Miss Thea

A talented young singer from Moonstone who rises to become a celebrated opera star.

Dr. Howard Archie

major

Also known as Dr. Archie, Archie, Howard Archie

The town doctor in Moonstone and a lifelong friend and supporter of Thea.

Fred Ottenburg

major

Also known as Fred, Ottenburg, Fred Ottenburg, Young Fred

A charming beer magnate's son who becomes Thea's lover and patron.

Ray Kennedy

supporting

Also known as Ray, Kennedy, Ray H. Kennedy

A railroad conductor and Thea's first suitor, who dies in a train accident.

Mrs. Kronborg

supporting

Also known as Kronborg

Thea's practical and hardworking mother, who manages the large Kronborg household.

Herr Wunsch

supporting

Also known as Wunsch, Professor Wunsch, old Wunsch

Thea's first music teacher in Moonstone, a talented but alcoholic German pianist.

Tillie Kronborg

supporting

Also known as Tillie

Thea's eccentric and sentimental aunt who lives with the family.

Mrs. Harsanyi

supporting

Also known as Harsanyi

The wife of Thea's piano teacher in Chicago, a supportive and cultured woman.

Spanish Johnny

minor

Also known as Johnny, Spanish

A Mexican musician in Moonstone who recognizes Thea's talent early on.

Mr. Kronborg

supporting

Also known as Kronborg, the Reverend Mr. Kronborg

Thea's father, a strict and somewhat ineffectual Methodist minister.

Mr. Bowers

minor

Also known as Bowers

The local music teacher and organist in Moonstone.

Thor

minor

One of Thea's younger brothers in the Kronborg family.

Mrs. Kohler

minor

Also known as Old Mrs. Kohler, old Mrs. Kohler

An elderly German neighbor who befriends Thea and Herr Wunsch.

Andor Harsanyi

supporting

Also known as Harsanyi, little Andor

Thea's piano teacher in Chicago, a brilliant Hungarian musician.

Madison Bowers

minor

Also known as Bowers

A voice teacher in Chicago who trains Thea.

Miss Edith Beers

minor

Also known as Miss Beers, Beers, Edith

A friend of Thea's from Moonstone who later works in Chicago.

Mrs. Tellamantez

minor

A Mexican woman in Moonstone who hosts dances.

Mr. Larsen

minor

A resident of Moonstone, possibly a shopkeeper.

Joe Giddy

minor

Also known as Giddy, Mr. Giddy

A local character in Moonstone.

Fritz Kohler

minor

Also known as Fritz, old Fritz

Mrs. Kohler's husband, a German immigrant and gardener.

Rev. Lars Larsen

minor

Also known as Larry, Lars, the Reverend Larsen

A Methodist minister who sometimes preaches in Moonstone.

Miss Darcey

minor

A young woman in Moonstone, possibly a friend of Thea's.

Mrs. Andersen

minor

A neighbor in Moonstone.

Mrs. Archie

minor

Also known as little Mrs. Archie

Dr. Archie's invalid wife.

Peter Kronborg

minor

Also known as Kronborg, the Reverend Peter Kronborg

Thea's grandfather, a retired minister.

Henry Biltmer

minor

Also known as Henry, Old Biltmer, old Henry

An old German farmer near Moonstone.

Gunner

minor

Also known as Mr. Gunner

A Swedish railroad worker in Moonstone.

Anna Belle White

minor

Also known as Belle White, Belle

A girl in Moonstone, part of Thea's social circle.

Mrs. Livery Johnson

minor

Also known as Mrs. Johnson, Johnson

A woman who runs a boarding house in Moonstone.

Mrs. Lorch

minor

Also known as Old Mrs. Lorch

An elderly woman in Moonstone.

Jessie Darcey

minor

Also known as Jessie

A young woman from Moonstone who moves to Chicago.

Mr. Nathanmeyer

minor

Also known as old Mr. Nathanmeyer

An elderly Jewish shopkeeper in Moonstone.

Mrs. Nathanmeyer

minor

The wife of the shopkeeper in Moonstone.

Sieglinde

minor

An opera character Thea performs; also a figure in her imagination.

Old Jasper Flight

minor

Also known as Jasper Flight, Jasper

An eccentric old man living near Moonstone.

Lily Fisher

minor

Also known as Lily, Miss Lily Fisher

A pretty but shallow girl in Moonstone.

Mrs. Dandridge

minor

A society woman in Chicago who supports Thea.

Necker

minor

Also known as Madame Necker

A historical figure mentioned in Thea's reading.

Pauline Hall

minor

Also known as Paulina

A singer Thea meets in Chicago.

Mrs. Priest

minor

A woman in Moonstone who hosts social gatherings.

Nordquist

minor

Also known as Fru Nordquist

A Swedish woman in Moonstone.

Axel

minor

One of Thea's younger brothers.

Charley

minor

A young man in Moonstone, possibly a suitor of Thea's.

Selma

minor

A Swedish girl in Moonstone.

Silvo

minor

A young Mexican boy in Moonstone.

Gus

minor

One of Thea's younger brothers.

Elizabeth

minor

A friend of Thea's from Moonstone.

Oscar Andersen

minor

Also known as Oscar

A burly Swedish farmer near Moonstone.

Mr. Eckman

minor

Also known as Eckman

A shopkeeper in Moonstone.

Captain Harris

minor

Also known as Harry, old Captain Harris

An old sea captain living in Moonstone.

Old Mr. Carsen

minor

An elderly resident of Moonstone.

Tanya

minor

A Russian woman Thea meets in Chicago.

Fräulein Furst

minor

A German woman who runs a boarding house in Chicago.

Billy Beemer

minor

Also known as Uncle Billy, Uncle Billy Beemer

An old man in Moonstone.

Grace Johnson

minor

Also known as Grace

A girl in Moonstone.

Maggie Evans

minor

Also known as Maggie

A dreary woman in Moonstone.

Katarina Furst

minor

Also known as Katarina

The once-proud mother of Fräulein Furst.

Van Dusen

minor

Also known as Van

A railroad man and friend of Ray Kennedy.

Miss Spencer

minor

A teacher in Moonstone.

Old Otto Ottenburg

minor

Also known as Otto Ottenburg

Fred Ottenburg's father, a wealthy beer magnate.

Mrs. Biltmer

minor

Also known as Biltmer

Henry Biltmer's wife.

Miguel Ramas

minor

Also known as Ramas

A Mexican man in Moonstone.

Mrs. Miguel Ramas

minor

The wife of Miguel Ramas.

Dick Brisbane

minor

Also known as Brisbane, young Brisbane

A young man in Moonstone.

Mr. Beers

minor

Edith Beers' father.

Gloeckler

minor

Also known as Madame Gloeckler

A singer Thea meets in Chicago.