Characters
Ann Dewy
Ann is the mother of Dick and wife of Reuben. She is a minor character and is memorable for questioning her husband’s tendency to perspire too much and for being coarse generally.
Dick Dewy
His burgeoning relationship with Fancy Day is a central concern of the novel. It is also of note that he is a manual worker, as a tranter (a porter and removal man), whereas Fancy is a teacher and this difference in class is considered by her father as an initial obstacle in their coming together.
Fancy Day
Fancy is the schoolmistress and daughter of Geoffrey, the gamekeeper. She represents progress and as the organist player in church she symbolically ousts the old order as depicted by the choir.
Geoffrey Day
As the father of Fancy, he is used to voice the class difference between his daughter and Dick. He is also an embodiment of rural work and of the policing of the land.
Grandfather William and Grandfather James
These two men are Dick’s grandfathers and represent the past that is disappearing.
Michael Mail
He is a member of the choir.
Reuben Dewy
He is often referred to as the tranter, and is the father of Dick and a spokesperson for the choir.
Robert Penny
He is another member of the choir along with other minor characters such as Tommy Leaf, Elias Spinks and Joseph Bowman.
Shinar
He is a local farmer and a rival of Dick’s for the affection of Fancy.
The vicar/Mr Maybold
As with Fancy, he represents a change in order and a break from the past. He also proposes to Fancy without realizing she is already engaged to Dick.
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