Angela Murray

Virginia Murray

Sisters with a close but complex bond, often navigating race and identity together.

Anthony Cross

Angela's primary love interest, a white artist who represents both desire and racial tension.

Jinny

A close friend and confidante who supports Angela through her personal struggles.

Roger Fielding

A wealthy white suitor who represents Angela's ambition for social climbing through marriage.

Mattie Murray

Angela's mother, whose own passing-for-white influences Angela's choices.

Martha Burden

A fellow artist and supportive friend in Angela's social circle.

Paulette Lister

A social acquaintance in the art world, representing the bohemian white circles Angela moves in.

June Mary Hastings

A fellow art student and casual acquaintance in Angela's New York life.

Rachel Salting

A kind friend who offers genuine support and perspective to Angela.

Junius Murray

Angela's father, a loving but more cautious figure who disapproves of passing.

Ralph Ashley

A brief romantic interest who represents another possibility in Angela's search for love.

Virginia Murray

Sisters with a close but complex bond, often navigating race and identity together.

Plum Bun: A Novel Without a Moral

Introduced as a young girl observing her mother's passing and beginning to grapple with racial identity.

Home

Angela is central to the chapter's exploration of home and identity, experiencing the duality of her family's life on Opal Street.

I

The light-skinned daughter who idealizes whiteness as a prerequisite for a glamorous life, learning from her mother's Saturday excursions.

II

Angela prefers Saturdays, feels restless in church, and is affected by the family's hymn singing, often retreating to the kitchen.

III

Shows moodiness and absorption during Monday evening preparations, causing Mattie to note she is growing up.

IV

Angela is deeply wounded by Mary Hastings' rejection after her racial identity is revealed. She reflects on her growing isolation at school and her preference for drawing and French over other subjects.

V

Reflects on her teaching appointment and the racial barriers she faced; feels restless but finds some satisfaction in art school and family life.

VI

Excels at the Academy, feels constrained by her racial secret, and plans to move to New York to pass as white.

Market

Accompanies Mattie to the market, observing the scene.

I

Angela explores New York, feeling free and white, and enrolls in art classes at Cooper Union, where she introduces herself as Angèle Mory.

II

Angela moves into a new apartment on Jayne Street, cooks dinner for Anthony Cross, and visits Paulette for dinner. She reflects on her new life and the freedom of living by her own rules.

III

Angela attends a party at Martha Burden's, reflects on her past in Opal Street, tries to befriend Miss Powell, and receives a letter from Virginia.

IV

Reflects on her unique position passing as white, enjoys Roger's attention, but is repulsed by his racism and decides to end their relationship.

V

Angela strategically plays a game of withholding affection from Roger, following Martha Burden's advice, while also spending time with Anthony. She accepts Roger's proposal, feeling triumphant and envisioning a future of wealth and power, but plans to meet her sister Virginia discreetly to avoid exposure.

VI

Angela is consumed by guilt and anxiety after snubbing Jinny at the station, rationalizing her actions while wrestling with her conscience.

VII

Defensive and hurt, Angela tries to explain her relationship with Roger to Virginia but struggles with guilt and shame over her choices.

Plum Bun

Protagonist navigating passing, art, and relationships in New York.

I

Angela is introspective and conflicted after Roger's advances, weighing her pride against the possibility of marriage.

II

Angela is torn between her deep feelings for Roger and her determination to maintain her independence and avoid a scandalous arrangement. She reflects on her past and her ambitions, resisting Roger's pressure for a free-love relationship.

III

Angela is torn between her love for Roger and her growing independence; she resents his dependence on his father but remains complacent. She begins to work more seriously on her art and adopts a detached, individualistic philosophy.

IV

Angela ponders her emotional stagnation and her relationship with Roger, feeling shame and loneliness. She attempts to rekindle Roger's interest but faces his growing indifference, leading to a painful breakup.

V

Angela is devastated by the end of her affair with Roger, facing financial ruin and a loss of self-confidence. She takes a job designing for a fashion journal but her radiance fades.

Home Again

Returns home to Opal Street, grappling with her experiences in New York and her identity.

I

Reflects on her loneliness in New York, her friendship with Rachel, and her past with Roger.

II

Reflects on her loneliness and desire for companionship; resolves to reconcile with Virginia and abandon her double life.

III

Angela is torn between the allure of high society and her need for independence; she withdraws from Mrs. Denver's favors, forms a friendship with the Sandburgs, and increasingly thinks of Anthony Cross as a partner in life.

IV

Angela reflects on her selfishness in relationships and her love for Anthony; she searches for him after their last meeting.

V

Angela, desperate to win Anthony back, decides to reveal her true racial identity to him, hoping it will unite them. She visits his apartment and confesses she is colored, but the revelation leads to further anguish.

Chapter VI

Reflects on her past with Roger and Anthony, reengages with Harlem life, and resumes painting.

Market Is Done

Accompanies Mattie to the market, observing the scene and people.

I

Wins an art prize and plans to go to France; impulsively reveals she is Black to defend Miss Powell; seeks solace with her sister Jinny.

II

Visits Philadelphia, is denied entry to her childhood home, and has a heartfelt conversation with Matthew Henson.

III

Struggles with loneliness and homesickness in Paris, focuses on her art, and is surprised by Anthony's Christmas visit.