Character guide

Jane Ward

major

Also known as Camille, Camille Jane, little Jane, Miss Jane Ward, Jane Austen

Protagonist whose life and loves are chronicled from youth through maturity.

Stephen Jane

supporting

Also known as Steve, little Steve, Handsome young Stephen

Jane's brother, a charming and somewhat reckless young man.

Isabel

supporting

Also known as Daisy Bell, Daisy, May, Belle, Aunt Isabel, little Belle

Jane's lively and romantic cousin, often called Daisy or Belle.

André Duroy

major

Also known as André, Funny French André, Mr. André, Darling André, Dear André

A charming Frenchman who becomes Jane's first serious romantic interest.

Cicily

supporting

Also known as Jack, Jacky, Now Cicily, A mutinous moody Cicily

A spirited young woman caught in a complicated romantic triangle.

Stephen Carver

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Carver, Uncle Stephen, little Steve, Steve, Dear old Stephen

Jane's uncle, a kind and steady presence in the family.

Jimmy Jane

supporting

Also known as Jimmy, Little Jane, Jane dully

Jane's younger brother, often called Jimmy, who grows into a young man.

Jimmy Trent

supporting

Also known as Mrs. James Trent, little Jimmy Trent, Little Jimmy Trent

A childhood friend of Jane's who later becomes a suitor.

Agnes Johnson

supporting

Also known as Aggie, Levelheaded Agnes, little Agnes

Jane's practical and loyal friend from childhood.

Muriel Lester

supporting

Also known as Lester, Aunt Muriel

A sophisticated older woman who befriends and advises Jane.

Flora Furness

supporting

Also known as Miss Flora, Cousin Flora

Jane's cousin, a fashionable and somewhat frivolous socialite.

Mr. Ward

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Ward

Jane's father, a respectable but somewhat distant parent.

Bert Lancaster

supporting

Also known as Mr. Bert Lancaster, Mr. Lancaster, Robin

A dashing young man who becomes involved with the family.

Jenny

supporting

Also known as Janie

A young woman who becomes a close friend of Jane's later in life.

Minnie Carver

supporting

Also known as Aunt Marie, Aunt Marie Carver, Marie, Dear old Minnie, Molly

Stephen Carver's wife, a warm and motherly figure.

Mrs. Lester

minor

Also known as IV Mrs. Lester

Muriel's mother, a formidable society matron.

Mr. Carver

minor

Also known as Mr. Alden Carver, Alden Carver, Alden, old Mr. Carver

Stephen Carver's father, the elderly patriarch of the Carver family.

John Ward

supporting

Also known as Mrs. John Ward, John Ward, Little John Ward, Jacky

Jane's brother, a steady and reliable young man.

Albert Lancaster

minor

Also known as Mrs. Albert Lancaster, young Albert, Mrs. Lancaster, Lancaster

Bert's father, a stern and traditional gentleman.

Mumsy

supporting

Jane's affectionate nickname for her mother.

Mamma

supporting

Jane's mother, a loving and conventional Victorian parent.

Mr. Furness

minor

Flora's father, a wealthy and indulgent businessman.

Aunt Silly

minor

Also known as Silly, Poor old Silly, poor Silly

An eccentric elderly aunt of Jane's, known for her foolish chatter.

Miss Parrot

minor

The family's gossipy and nosy neighbor.

Rosalie

minor

Also known as Pretty Rosalie

A beautiful but shallow young woman in Jane's social circle.

Papa

minor

Jane's grandfather, a dignified and old-fashioned gentleman.

Edith

minor

Also known as Edie

A friend of Jane's from her school days.

Uncle Alden

minor

Also known as Alden

Jane's uncle, a kindly but somewhat ineffectual man.

Dad

minor

Jane's affectionate term for her father.

Mr. Duroy

minor

Also known as Of Mr. Duroy

André's father, a French businessman.

Mother

supporting

Jane's mother, a central maternal figure in her life.

Sarah Bernhardt

minor

Also known as Bernhardt, Sarah, Suddenly Sarah

The famous actress, seen as a cultural icon by the characters.

Freddy Waters

minor

Also known as Freddy

A young man who courts one of Jane's friends.

Robin Redbreast

minor

Also known as Robin

A childhood nickname for a boy who grows up with Jane.

Teddy Brown

minor

Also known as Ed Brown, Ed, Brown

A young man from a neighboring family.

Miss Thomas

minor

Also known as Miss Thomas⁠—Miss Thomas

A teacher at the school Jane attends.

Marion Park

minor

Also known as Marion

A friend of Jane's from her college years.

Uncle Robin

minor

Also known as Robin, Bert, Uncle Bert

An older relative of the family, known for his storytelling.

Barbara Belmont

minor

Also known as Belmont, Barbara

A glamorous and sophisticated friend of the family.

Lily Furness

minor

Also known as Lily

Flora's younger sister, a quiet and observant girl.

Father

minor

Jane's father, a figure of authority and affection.

Jack Bridges

minor

Also known as Jack

A young man who becomes a friend of the family.

Mrs. Duroy

minor

André's mother, a Frenchwoman of refined taste.

Dr. Bancroft

minor

The family physician, a trusted and wise doctor.

President M. Carey Thomas

minor

Also known as President Thomas

The president of Bryn Mawr College, an admired figure.

Eric Arthur

minor

Also known as Eric

A young man who appears in Jane's later social circle.

Theodore Roosevelt

minor

Also known as Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt

The U.S. president, mentioned as a contemporary figure.

Dr. Winter

minor

Also known as old Dr. Winter, Old Dr. Winter

An elderly doctor who attends the family.

Cyril Fortune

minor

Also known as Cyril

A young man who briefly courts one of Jane's friends.

Miss Milgrim

minor

Also known as ancient Miss Milgrim

An elderly spinster who lives in the neighborhood.

Lizzie

minor

A servant in the Ward household.

Mr. Bournique

minor

Also known as old Mr. Bournique

A French neighbor and friend of the family.

Dido

minor

A classical reference used as a nickname for a character.

Mrs. Furness

minor

Flora's mother, a society hostess.

Inigo Fellowes

minor

Also known as Inigo

A young artist who becomes part of Jane's circle.

Bill Belmont

minor

Also known as Billy

Barbara Belmont's brother, a charming young man.

Robin Bridges

minor

Also known as Bob, Robin

Jack Bridges' brother, a friend of the family.

Herbert Hoover

minor

Also known as Albert

The future U.S. president, mentioned in passing.

Aeneas

minor

Also known as Faithless Aeneas

A classical figure referenced in conversation.

Mademoiselle Cyprienne

minor

Also known as Cyprienne, Mademoiselle Cyprienne Pyramel-Gramont

A French acquaintance of the family.

Mugsy

minor

A childhood nickname for a family friend.

Cassandra Frothingham Perkins

minor

Also known as Casey, Cassandra

A friend from Jane's college days.

Eve

minor

Also known as An Eve

A biblical reference used as a metaphor in conversation.

Mr. Trent

minor

Also known as Tell Mr. Trent

Jimmy Trent's father, a respectable gentleman.

Miss Coulter

minor

A teacher at Jane's school.

Cora Delafield

minor

Also known as Cora

A fashionable friend of the family.

Solomon Lester

minor

Also known as old Solomon Lester, Old Solomon Lester

Muriel's father, a wealthy and eccentric old man.

Billy Winter

minor

Also known as Billy

Dr. Winter's son, a young man in the neighborhood.

Susan Frothingham

minor

Also known as Susan

Cassandra's mother, a family friend.

Buzzy Barker

minor

Also known as Buzzy

A childhood playmate of Jane's.

Dexter

minor

A young man mentioned in passing in social circles.

Grandma Carver

minor

Also known as Grandma

Stephen Carver's mother, the elderly matriarch.

Tony

minor

A servant in the Carver household.

Miss McKelvey

minor

A teacher at Jane's school.

Miss Miller

minor

A teacher at Jane's school.

Dollie Grey

minor

Also known as Dollie

A friend of Jane's from her youth.

Gertie

minor

A servant in the Ward household.