Character guide

Clara Wieland

major

Also known as Clara, Miss Wieland, Little Clara

Narrator and central figure; recounts the tragic events affecting her family.

Theodore Wieland

major

Also known as Wieland

Clara's brother, whose religious fervor drives the plot's central tragedy.

Francis Carwin

major

Also known as Carwin

Mysterious stranger with ventriloquism abilities; key to the deceptions.

Henry Pleyel

major

Also known as Pleyel, Catharine Pleyel

Clara's love interest and friend of the family; skeptical and rational.

Catharine Pleyel

supporting

Also known as Catharine, the breathless Catharine

Wieland's wife and Clara's close friend; a victim of the tragedy.

The elder Wieland

supporting

Also known as my father, My father

Clara's father, whose mysterious death sets the stage for the story.

Grandfather Wieland

minor

Also known as my grandfather, My grandfather

Clara's grandfather, a religious enthusiast whose story is recounted.

Mr. Ludloe

minor

Also known as the honorable Mr. Ludloe

A philosophical acquaintance of Carwin, mentioned in his narrative.

Thomas Cambridge

supporting

Also known as Mr. Cambridge

A physician who appears late in the story to aid Clara.

Louisa Conway

supporting

Also known as Louisa, Miss Conway

A young woman under Clara's care, later revealed to be related to Stuart.

Maxwell

minor

Also known as Mrs. Maxwell

A family friend whose death is mentioned in the narrative.

Judith

minor

A servant in the Wieland household.

Mr. Hallet

minor

Also known as Hallet

An older man who tells stories about the elder Wieland.

Mrs. Baynton

minor

A neighbor who assists Clara during her illness.

Major Stuart

supporting

Also known as Stuart

A British officer whose family connections are revealed late in the book.

Theresa de Stolberg

minor

Also known as Theresa

A woman in Carwin's backstory, connected to Ludloe.

Mrs. Stuart

minor

Major Stuart's wife, mentioned in the later revelations.

Leonard Weise

minor

Also known as Weise

An ancestor of the Wieland family, mentioned in the genealogy.

Bertrand

minor

A servant of Carwin's, mentioned in his confession.