# Mattie Murray — Plum Bun character guide

> Mattie Murray in Plum Bun by Jessie Redmon Fauset.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Maude, Matthew, Matt

**First appearance:** 0030-vi

## Who they are

A cousin of the Murray family from the South.

## Relationships

### [Angela Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/angela_murray)

_family_

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

### [Jinny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/jinny)

_family_

Jinny is a close family friend or relative who shares a warm bond with Mattie.

### [Virginia Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/virginia_murray)

_family_

Mother and daughter with a caring but sometimes strained relationship due to racial passing.

### [Angela Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/angela_murray)

_family_

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

### [Angela Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/angela_murray)

_family_

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

### [Virginia Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/virginia_murray)

_family_

Mother and daughter with a caring but sometimes strained relationship due to racial passing.

### [Virginia Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/virginia_murray)

_family_

Mother and daughter with a caring but sometimes strained relationship due to racial passing.

### [Jinny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/jinny)

_family_

Jinny is a close family friend or relative who shares a warm bond with Mattie.

### [Jinny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/jinny)

_family_

Jinny is a close family friend or relative who shares a warm bond with Mattie.

## In the story

### [Plum Bun: A Novel Without a Moral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/plum-bun)

The mother who passes for white to access privileges, shaping Angela's understanding of race.

### [Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/home)

Mattie's Saturday excursions with Angela reveal her role in shaping Angela's understanding of racial passing and belonging.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/i)

Angela's mother, who enjoys passing as white for innocent pleasures but remains devoted to her Black husband and family.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/ii)

Mattie is content in her marriage, grateful for Junius's protection, and wipes away happy tears during the family singing.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/iii)

Reflects on her past as a domestic servant, her experiences with Madame Sylvio and Haynes Brokinaw, and her marriage to Junius Murray.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/v)

Enjoys the comforts provided by her daughters; recalls past discussions about the girls' futures and still deeply loves her husband.

### [Market](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/market)

Present in the market, possibly shopping or socializing.

### [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/home-again)

Angela's mother, present at the family home, embodying the familial ties and expectations.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned in context of hair texture similar to Sara Penton's.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/vi)

Proprietress of the Harlem hairdressing shop, a refined woman from Texas who provides a welcoming space.

### [Market Is Done](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/market-is-done)

Present at the market, engaged in shopping and social exchanges.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as Matthew Henson; Angela encourages him to pursue Virginia.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/chapters/iii)

Referenced as Matthew; helps Anthony select Angela's Christmas present.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters/mattie_murray
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plum_bun_se/characters