# There Is Confusion — Character guide

> Key figures in There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset.

- [Joanna Marshall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/joanna_marshall.md): A talented and ambitious young woman striving for artistic success in early 20th-century Philadelphia.
- [Maggie Ellersley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/maggie_ellersley.md): Joanna's close friend, a gentle and supportive presence who faces her own romantic and social challenges.
- [Peter Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/peter_bye.md): A proud and struggling young man from a distinguished but impoverished family, in love with Joanna.
- [Philip Marshall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/philip_marshall.md): Joanna's older brother, a steady and pragmatic figure who supports his sister's ambitions.
- [Meriwether Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/meriwether_bye.md): Peter's accomplished older brother, a successful doctor who represents the Bye family's potential.
- [Sylvia Marshall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/sylvia_marshall.md): Joanna and Philip's younger sister, a lively and somewhat frivolous contrast to Joanna.
- [Joel Marshall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/joel_marshall.md): The Marshall family patriarch, a hardworking and principled man who values education and ambition.
- [Henderson Neal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/henderson_neal.md): Maggie's father, a stern and practical man concerned with his daughter's future.
- [Isaiah Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/isaiah_bye.md): Peter and Meriwether's father, a proud man haunted by the family's lost status.
- [Alexander Harley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/alexander_harley.md): A wealthy and charismatic suitor who becomes a rival for Joanna's affections.
- [Brian Spencer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/brian_spencer.md): A friend of the Marshall family, a kind and dependable young man.
- [Thomas Mason](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/thomas_mason.md): A working-class friend of Peter's, loyal but struggling with his own circumstances.
- [Vera Manning](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/vera_manning.md): A friend of Joanna's from the artistic community, sophisticated and worldly.
- [Harry Portor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/harry_portor.md): A young man from a prominent family, briefly involved in the social circle.
- [Susan Graves](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/susan_graves.md): A kind older woman who boards with the Marshall family and offers wisdom.
- [Vera Sharples](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/vera_sharples.md): A gossipy and opinionated neighbor who comments on local affairs.
- [Mr. Simpson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mr_simpson.md): A helpful but minor acquaintance who assists with various errands.
- [Joshua Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/joshua_bye.md): An elderly Black servant of the Bye family, a link to their Southern past.
- [Aaron Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/aaron_bye.md): Another member of the Bye family, a quiet and hardworking relative.
- [John Howe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/john_howe.md): A businessman and acquaintance of the Marshall family.
- [Mrs. Marshall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mrs_marshall.md): Joanna's mother, a gentle and supportive homemaker.
- [Jan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/jan.md): A young woman who works as a servant for the Marshall family.
- [Janna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/janna.md): An elderly relative of the Marshall family who lives with them.
- [Mrs. Ellersley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mrs_ellersley.md): Maggie's mother, a kind and anxious woman concerned for her daughter.
- [Annie Mackinaw](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/annie_mackinaw.md): A friend of the Marshall sisters, lively and talkative.
- [Annie Mason](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/annie_mason.md): Thomas Mason's sister, a quiet and hardworking young woman.
- [Bertully](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/bertully.md): A French music teacher who instructs Joanna in singing.
- [Miss Shanley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/miss_shanley.md): A spinster who boards with the Marshall family, often pitied.
- [Mr. Mason](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mr_mason.md): Thomas Mason's father, a stern working-class man.
- [Mrs. Lea](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mrs_lea.md): A neighbor and friend of the Marshall family.
- [Alice Talbert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/alice_talbert.md): A young woman from Philadelphia who visits the boarding house.
- [Helena Arnold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/helena_arnold.md): A friend of Vera Manning, part of the artistic set.
- [Judy Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/judy_bye.md): An elderly female relative of the Bye family.
- [Louis Boyd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/louis_boyd.md): A young man from a wealthy family, briefly mentioned in social circles.
- [Elmer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/elmer.md): A minor acquaintance of the Marshall family.
- [Thomas Morse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mr_thomas_morse.md): A businessman who interacts with the Marshall family.
- [Ceazer Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/ceazer_bye.md): An elderly Black servant of the Bye family, a former slave.
- [Susan Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/miss_susan_bye.md): A female relative of the Bye family, a spinster.
- [Roger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/roger.md): A young man who works as a clerk, briefly mentioned.
- [Belle Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/belle_bye.md): A female relative of the Bye family, married into another family.
- [Mrs. Carter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mrs_carter.md): A neighbor and acquaintance of the Marshall family.
- [Morton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/morton.md): A young woman from a prominent family, part of the social scene.
- [Ed Morgan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/ed_morgan.md): A young man who works with Thomas Mason.
- [Mr. Hale](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mr_hale.md): A minister who interacts with the Marshall family.
- [Barney Kirchner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/barney_kirchner.md): A friend of Peter Bye, a working-class man.
- [Essie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/essie.md): A young woman who works as a seamstress, briefly mentioned.
- [Davenant](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/davenant.md): A doctor who treats members of the community.
- [Alice Graves](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/alice_graves.md): A relative of Susan Graves, briefly mentioned.
- [Selma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/selma.md): A young woman who works as a maid for the Marshall family.
- [Mrs. Viny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/old_mrs_viny.md): An elderly neighbor of the Marshall family.
- [Dinah Bye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/dinah_bye.md): A female relative of the Bye family, a cook.
- [Mrs. Reading](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mrs_reading.md): A neighbor and acquaintance of the Marshall family.
- [Gertrude Moseley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/gertrude_moseley.md): A friend of Sylvia Marshall, briefly mentioned.
- [Myrtle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/myrtle.md): A young woman who works as a servant, briefly mentioned.
- [Madame Harkness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/madame_harkness.md): A wealthy patron of the arts who supports Joanna.
- [Mrs. Davis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mrs_davis.md): A neighbor of the Marshall family, briefly mentioned.
- [John Talbert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/john_talbert.md): Alice Talbert's brother, briefly mentioned.
- [Francis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/francis.md): A young man who works as a clerk, briefly mentioned.
- [Mrs. Terry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/there_is_confusion_se/characters/mrs_terry.md): A neighbor of the Marshall family, briefly mentioned.

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