Virginia Murray

Angela Murray

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

Anthony Cross

A friendly acquaintance who becomes a bridge between Angela and her sister.

Jinny

Mutual friends who share concern for Angela's wellbeing.

Roger Fielding

Acquaintances through Angela, with Roger showing polite interest in Virginia.

Mattie Murray

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

Angela Murray

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

Angela Murray

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

Anthony Cross

A friendly acquaintance who becomes a bridge between Angela and her sister.

Roger Fielding

Acquaintances through Angela, with Roger showing polite interest in Virginia.

Jinny

Mutual friends who share concern for Angela's wellbeing.

Mattie Murray

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

Anthony Cross

A friendly acquaintance who becomes a bridge between Angela and her sister.

Plum Bun: A Novel Without a Moral

Angela's darker-skinned sister, who contrasts with Angela and their mother in her experience of race.

Home

Virginia's presence underscores the family dynamics and the contrast between her and Angela's experiences.

I

Angela's darker-skinned sister, who accompanies their father on Saturdays and is unknowingly ignored by her mother and sister during a passing incident.

II

Virginia cherishes Sunday rituals, finds deep happiness in family unity, and senses Angela's growing distance.

III

Participates in the Monday ritual of preparing supper and the dressing-up game with Angela.

IV

Virginia is mentioned as having a dogged resignation to unwelcome duties, contrasting with Angela's nature.

V

Exuberantly announces her teaching appointment; remains optimistic and devoted to her father, Junius.

VI

Struggles with Angela's decision to leave and pass, feeling hurt and abandoned.

Market

Mentioned in the context of family life, possibly at the market.

III

Virginia writes a letter to Angela expressing her wish to move to New York and revealing her hurt over Matthew's rejection after she became carsick.

IV

Angela compares the brave, humiliated Black girl at the restaurant to Virginia, recalling her sister's similar courage.

V

Virginia writes to Angela announcing her upcoming visit to New York for an exam. Angela plans to meet her discreetly to avoid revealing her racial identity.

VI

Virginia is the sister Angela betrays; she arrives in New York but avoids Angela, going out on her first night without contacting her.

VII

Initially composed but deeply wounded, Virginia confronts Angela about the station incident and expresses her feelings of loss and alienation.

Plum Bun

Angela's sister, who visits and represents the family ties and racial identity Angela is distancing from.

I

Jinny insists on going alone to her teaching exam, cautioning Angela about taking risks.

III

Virginia is a successful teacher who spends time with a group of educated Black friends. She is secretive about her life and maintains a cool, serene happiness that contrasts with Angela's intense existence.

V

Virginia is mentioned as having given Angela a gift of money, part of which has been spent.

Home Again

Angela's sister, who interacts with her upon her return, reflecting family dynamics.

I

Angela's sister, who has a stable life and many friendships in New York.

II

Appears happy and engaged; distracted by her own plans and unaware of Angela's emotional turmoil.

III

Virginia is mentioned as planning to marry Matthew and move to Philadelphia, a prospect that deeply troubles Angela.

IV

Angela thinks about how she left Virginia and how Jinny always gave while she took.

V

Virginia is mentioned as Angela's sister, who has become entangled with Anthony. Angela feels immense guilt for having cut Virginia earlier, and this guilt now complicates her relationship with Anthony.

Chapter VI

Accompanies Angela to Harlem, gets her hair treated, and introduces her to community spaces.

Market Is Done

Also at the market, interacting with family and acquaintances.

I

Angela's sister, who provides comfort and a listening ear after Angela's confession.

II

Angela's sister, who has a cold and is upset about Angela's departure; Matthew confesses his past love for her.

III

Promises a Christmas present and writes letters to Angela, but the gift arrives late.