There Is Confusion · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset.
Joanna Marshall
major
Also known as Joanna, Miss Joanna Marshall, Queen Joanna, Darling Joanna
A talented and ambitious young woman striving for artistic success in early 20th-century Philadelphia.
Maggie Ellersley
major
Also known as Maggie, Miss Maggie, Miss Ellersley, Maggie Neal
Joanna's close friend, a gentle and supportive presence who faces her own romantic and social challenges.
Peter Bye
major
Also known as Peter, Dear Peter, Uncle Peter, Doubtless Peter
A proud and struggling young man from a distinguished but impoverished family, in love with Joanna.
Philip Marshall
supporting
Also known as Philip, Phil, old Phil, Marshall
Joanna's older brother, a steady and pragmatic figure who supports his sister's ambitions.
Meriwether Bye
supporting
Also known as Meriwether, Dr. Meriwether Bye, Dr. Bye, young Dr. Bye
Peter's accomplished older brother, a successful doctor who represents the Bye family's potential.
Sylvia Marshall
supporting
Also known as Sylvia, VII Sylvia, the Marshall
Joanna and Philip's younger sister, a lively and somewhat frivolous contrast to Joanna.
Joel Marshall
supporting
Also known as Joel, old Joel, Old Joel
The Marshall family patriarch, a hardworking and principled man who values education and ambition.
Henderson Neal
supporting
Also known as Neal, Henderson, Mr. Neal
Maggie's father, a stern and practical man concerned with his daughter's future.
Isaiah Bye
supporting
Also known as Isaiah, old Isaiah, old Isaiah Bye, young white Bye
Peter and Meriwether's father, a proud man haunted by the family's lost status.
Alexander Harley
supporting
Also known as Alexander, Alec, Sandy, Harley, old Harley
A wealthy and charismatic suitor who becomes a rival for Joanna's affections.
Brian Spencer
minor
Also known as Brian, Spencer
A friend of the Marshall family, a kind and dependable young man.
Thomas Mason
minor
Also known as Tom, Tom Mason, Mason, Brother Tom
A working-class friend of Peter's, loyal but struggling with his own circumstances.
Vera Manning
minor
Also known as Vera, Vera Manning
A friend of Joanna's from the artistic community, sophisticated and worldly.
Harry Portor
minor
Also known as Harry, Portor, Mr. Harry
A young man from a prominent family, briefly involved in the social circle.
Susan Graves
minor
Also known as Miss Susan Graves, Susan, Miss Graves, Aunt Susan
A kind older woman who boards with the Marshall family and offers wisdom.
Vera Sharples
minor
Also known as Miss Sharples, Vera Sharples, Miss Vera, the Sharples
A gossipy and opinionated neighbor who comments on local affairs.
Mr. Simpson
minor
Also known as Simpson, the willing Simpson
A helpful but minor acquaintance who assists with various errands.
Joshua Bye
minor
Also known as black Joshua Bye, Joshua, old black Joshua Bye, Old Joshua
An elderly Black servant of the Bye family, a link to their Southern past.
Aaron Bye
minor
Also known as Aaron, Bye
Another member of the Bye family, a quiet and hardworking relative.
John Howe
minor
Also known as John, Mr. Howe
A businessman and acquaintance of the Marshall family.
Mrs. Marshall
minor
Also known as old Mrs. Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall
Joanna's mother, a gentle and supportive homemaker.
Jan
minor
Also known as Jan., Jan
A young woman who works as a servant for the Marshall family.
Janna
minor
Also known as Aunt Janna
An elderly relative of the Marshall family who lives with them.
Mrs. Ellersley
minor
Also known as Mrs. Ellersley
Maggie's mother, a kind and anxious woman concerned for her daughter.
Annie Mackinaw
minor
Also known as Annie, Annie Mackinaw
A friend of the Marshall sisters, lively and talkative.
Annie Mason
minor
Also known as Annie, Annie Mason
Thomas Mason's sister, a quiet and hardworking young woman.
Bertully
minor
Also known as Monsieur Bertully
A French music teacher who instructs Joanna in singing.
Miss Shanley
minor
Also known as Poor Miss Shanley
A spinster who boards with the Marshall family, often pitied.
Mr. Mason
minor
Also known as that Mr. Mason, Mason
Thomas Mason's father, a stern working-class man.
Mrs. Lea
minor
Also known as Mrs. Lea
A neighbor and friend of the Marshall family.
Alice Talbert
minor
Also known as Alice, Miss Talbert, Miss Alice Talbert
A young woman from Philadelphia who visits the boarding house.
Helena Arnold
minor
Also known as Helena
A friend of Vera Manning, part of the artistic set.
Judy Bye
minor
Also known as Judy, old Judy, old Judy Bye
An elderly female relative of the Bye family.
Louis Boyd
minor
Also known as Louis
A young man from a wealthy family, briefly mentioned in social circles.
Elmer
minor
Also known as Elmer
A minor acquaintance of the Marshall family.
Thomas Morse
minor
Also known as Mr. Thomas Morse, Tom
A businessman who interacts with the Marshall family.
Ceazer Bye
minor
Also known as Ceazer, old Ceazer, Ceazer Bye
An elderly Black servant of the Bye family, a former slave.
Susan Bye
minor
Also known as Miss Susan Bye, Susan, Bye
A female relative of the Bye family, a spinster.
Roger
minor
Also known as Roger
A young man who works as a clerk, briefly mentioned.
Belle Bye
minor
Also known as Belle, Anna
A female relative of the Bye family, married into another family.
Mrs. Carter
minor
Also known as Carter
A neighbor and acquaintance of the Marshall family.
Miss Ashby
minor
Also known as Miss Ashby
A teacher at the school Joanna attends.
Morton
minor
Also known as Arabelle Morton, Arabelle
A young woman from a prominent family, part of the social scene.
Monia
minor
Also known as Monia
A servant in the Marshall household.
Ed Morgan
minor
Also known as Ed, little Morgan, Morgan
A young man who works with Thomas Mason.
Mr. Hale
minor
Also known as Hale
A minister who interacts with the Marshall family.
Barney Kirchner
minor
Also known as Barney
A friend of Peter Bye, a working-class man.
Essie
minor
Also known as Essie
A young woman who works as a seamstress, briefly mentioned.
Davenant
minor
Also known as Dr. Davenant
A doctor who treats members of the community.
Alice Graves
minor
Also known as Alice, a Graves
A relative of Susan Graves, briefly mentioned.
Selma
minor
Also known as Selma
A young woman who works as a maid for the Marshall family.
Mrs. Viny
minor
Also known as old Mrs. Viny
An elderly neighbor of the Marshall family.
Dinah Bye
minor
Also known as Dinah
A female relative of the Bye family, a cook.
Mrs. Reading
minor
Also known as Mrs. Reading
A neighbor and acquaintance of the Marshall family.
Gertrude Moseley
minor
Also known as Gertrude
A friend of Sylvia Marshall, briefly mentioned.
Myrtle
minor
Also known as Myrtle
A young woman who works as a servant, briefly mentioned.
Miss Rosen
minor
Also known as Miss Rosen
A teacher at the school Joanna attends.
Madame Harkness
minor
Also known as Madame Harkness
A wealthy patron of the arts who supports Joanna.
Mrs. Davis
minor
Also known as Mrs. Davis
A neighbor of the Marshall family, briefly mentioned.
John Talbert
minor
Also known as John Talbert
Alice Talbert's brother, briefly mentioned.
Francis
minor
Also known as Francis
A young man who works as a clerk, briefly mentioned.
Mrs. Terry
minor
Also known as Mrs. Terry
A neighbor of the Marshall family, briefly mentioned.
