# Sesphra of the Dreams — Figures of Earth character guide

> Sesphra of the Dreams in Figures of Earth by James Branch Cabell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sesphra

**First appearance:** 0039-xxix-sesphra-of-the-dreams

## Snapshot

A figure Manuel shaped with his own hands and proud youth's will, now loosed upon the world as a blighting misery no maker can control.

## Who they are

Sesphra is the creature of Manuel's long dreams and labors — the image he designed to be more admirable than the drab men around him, given comeliness, wit, and courage but not pity or constant love. Because Manuel fashioned his legs unevenly, Sesphra has never pardoned him his lameness, and his resistless magic nearly drives Manuel to slay his own wife and child. Freydis names him plainly as Manuel's own past self, and his existence forces the question of what a man owes the things he makes.

## Relationships

### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel)

_psychological_

A dream-like figure who embodies Manuel's subconscious desires and fears, guiding him through surreal visions.

### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel)

_psychological_

A dream-like figure who embodies Manuel's subconscious desires and fears, guiding him through surreal visions.

### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel)

_psychological_

A dream-like figure who embodies Manuel's subconscious desires and fears, guiding him through surreal visions.

## In the story

### [XXIX: Sesphra of the Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxix-sesphra-of-the-dreams)

Sesphra, the clay image given life, tempts Manuel to leave his family and travel with him, using enchantment to manipulate Manuel's desires.

### [XXX: Farewell to Freydis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxx-farewell-to-freydis)

The lame creature created by Manuel, now Freydis's husband. He flees through the fire after the baptism.

### [Now Manuel Prospers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxxiii-now-manuel-prospers)

The cult of Sesphra is spreading widely, troubling Manuel, though he remains silent about it.

### [XL: Colophon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xl-colophon)

The immortal young smile of Sesphra appears derisively among the memories in Lethe.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/sesphra_of_the_dreams
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters