Epigraph
The subject of the poem, praised for her pride, joy, and natural, unbound spirit.
Hester
Protagonist; a young woman caught between family duty and personal desires, striving for independence.
III: The Vernonry
Arrives at the Vernonry with her mother, curious about her family history and her father's downfall, and begins to explore the old house.
IV: A First Meeting
Defends her mother against Catherine's visit, showing fiery opposition and later feeling shame and mortification for her rudeness; struggles with her emotions and self-restraint.
V: Next Morning
Hester wakes her mother early to confess turning Catherine away; she feels a mix of defiance and guilt, and later finds solace in the morning beauty. She meets Edward Vernon and asserts her independence.
VI: Neighbours and Relations
Supervises the table and defends her actions to her mother; her refusal to admit Catherine is discussed by the relatives.
VII: Settling Down
Burning with indignation at Catherine's condescension and her mother's weakness; longs to become independent and protect her mother.
VIII: Nineteen
At nineteen, Hester feels her youthful idealism crushed by Catherine's refusal to let her work; she finds comfort in tutoring the Reginald Vernon boys and caring for little Katie, but wrestles with bitterness and a sense of wasted potential.
IX: Recollections
Hester listens to Captain Morgan's recollections of Catherine's past, reacting with passionate denial of any likeness between herself and Catherine, and later with deep interest in Catherine's romantic tragedy.
X: A Lover
Hester is initially unaware of Harry's intentions, indifferent to his advances, and skeptical of romantic conquests. She avoids him by going out with Captain Morgan.
XI: Mother and Daughter
Dismissive of her mother's news, preferring the old captain's stories; unaware of her mother's sacrifices; startled by the hint of Harry's proposal.
XII: An Indignant Spectator
Feels like an outlaw from society, scornful of the social scene at the Grange, and defends Harry Vernon against Catherine's prejudice.
XIII: Catherine's Opinion
Hester is the object of Harry's courtship and Catherine's scrutiny. Catherine assumes she is ambitious and will marry Harry for his wealth, though Hester's own feelings are not directly shown.
XIV: Harry's View
Resists Harry's proposal, valuing their friendship over marriage and expressing fear of the unknown changes matrimony would bring.
XV: What Edward Thought
Walks alone to Redborough, proud and sensitive about her unprotected state; is waylaid by Edward and reacts with blazing indignation to his insinuations about Harry.
Walks and Talks
Feels annoyed and angry when Captain Morgan insists on escorting her home, interrupting her conversation with Roland; later feels a thrill of pleasure at Roland's soft words and is drawn to the newcomer.
XIX: Confidences
Mentioned by Edward as being like Catherine; Edward reveals she is to marry Harry Vernon, which causes Roland to react with surprise and displeasure.
Roland
Moved by a chance encounter with Roland in the firelight; Roland considers her a pretty girl but not a serious interest.
XXI: Warning
Feels a pang at Roland's departure, having enjoyed his company and the new world he opened to her; she is puzzled by his hint that she may be congratulated.
XXII: Dancing Teas
Struggles with her ambivalent feelings for Edward, torn between curiosity and scorn; accepts Ellen's proposal to help with the dancing teas despite reservations.
The First of Them
Attends the dance, confronts Edward about his treatment of her, defends Catherine, and learns of a possible past wrong by Catherine against her father.
A New Competitor
Shows unwilling politeness and coldness toward Edward, especially near Catherine Vernon's house; accompanies Emma to see the town.
A Double Mind
Avoids Edward after their encounter, causing him confusion and pique; her reluctance is noted but not understood by him.
Straightforward
Attends the dance in a blue dress and her mother's pearls, meeting Catherine's gaze with defiance and indignation.
A Centre of Life
Confused by her own emotions and the attention she receives at the parties, she is drawn to Edward but does not yet acknowledge her feelings.
XXVIII: Was It Love?
Deeply introspective, Hester questions whether Edward loves her and whether she loves him, feeling shame at the possibility of vanity and confusion over her own sentiments.
Christmas
Hester is consumed by anger and indignation toward Catherine, whom she sees as a tyrant controlling Edward. She struggles with her love for Edward and her distrust of him, and considers fleeing the Vernon family.
The Party at the Grange
Feels a strong longing for a heroic opportunity, experiences a prophetic sense of linked fates, and takes refuge behind her mother.
Business and Love
Defends Edward Vernon's motives, discusses business and heroism, and expresses a desire for independent action.
A Speculator
Remains at home with her mother, declining to attend the dance. She is thoughtful and dreamy, half-listening to her mother's monologue.
A Late Visitor
Hester is in a state of emotional turmoil after Edward's visit, oscillating between rapture at his declaration and anxiety about his secret crisis. She struggles with her pride and the shame of her eager pursuit of him the next morning.
Doubts and Fears
Hester appears pale, agitated, and conscious, suggesting she is hiding something related to Edward.
A Discovery
Met by Edward at the gate; Catherine suspects her of leading Edward into a flirtation.
XXXVI: In the Labyrinth
Struggles with the secret betrothal to Edward, feeling guilty and trapped in a labyrinth of uncertainty.
Alarms
Grows angry, resentful, and impatient under the strain of secrecy; attends dances reluctantly and feels trapped in her relationship with Edward.
XXXVIII: The Crisis
Receives Edward's note and is frozen with horror at the deceit; she struggles with her complicity and the impossibility of leaving her mother.
Under the Holly
Meets Edward for elopement but refuses to go after learning of the bank's danger and her father's past ruin of it; collapses at the gate.
XL: The Hour of Need
Heartbroken and desolate after Edward's flight; she kneels beside Catherine and later defends Edward's motives.
XLI: A Night’s Vigil
Exhausted and numb, she is dragged along by Catherine, serves as scribe during the bank crisis, and is too weary to think of her own plight.
XLII: Afterwards
Wakes in distress, relives the traumatic events of the previous night, and struggles with hope and despair over Edward's fate.
An Interruption
Watches Catherine in silent awe, then learns of Edward's marriage to another woman, shattering her hopes.
The Settlement
Solves the housing dispute by declaring that Catherine must have the best place in her own house, acting without consulting her mother.
XLV: The End
Catherine's companion; refuses to marry despite Catherine's urging; discovers Catherine's death.
