# Seraphine — Scarlet Sister Mary character guide

> Seraphine in Scarlet Sister Mary by Julia Peterkin.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0006-v

## Snapshot

A young mother in the quarters whose baby cries in the night while Mary lies awake listening to sounds that make her mouth go dry.

## Who they are

Seraphine shares the cramped house and the long nights with Mary after Unex's death, her sleeping infant a small living counterweight to the grief that fills the rooms. She is practical where Mary is feverish, hushing her baby with sleepy words while Mary's misery splits her heart in two. Her ordinary motherhood throws Mary's losses into relief and gives the novel one of its quietest measures of what a woman's life can hold.

## Relationships

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_rivalry_

Seraphine is a rival woman in the community, often competing for male attention and social standing.

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_rivalry_

Seraphine is a rival woman in the community, often competing for male attention and social standing.

## In the story

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xvii)

Mary's tiny baby girl, born after July left. She becomes the instrument of reconciliation between Mary and Budda Ben.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xviii)

Almost a woman, she is doted on by Budda Ben, who sent her to town school last year.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxi)

Mary's oldest daughter, pitted against Mary for Budda Ben's affection; Mary worries about her.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxiv)

Returns from town and is questioned by Mary about the extra baby; denies any knowledge.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxv)

Seraphine is weary, thin, and heartbroken after being tricked by a town man. Mary comforts her and advises her to be proud and move on.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxvi)

Seraphine helps with chores the morning after July's visit, as Mary is too distraught to work.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxviii)

Seraphine is present in the house, sleeping with the other children. She later boasts about the Bury-league.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxix)

Assists with the children and household chores during Unex's illness.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xxxi)

Helps feed and put babies to sleep; her sin child is counted among the stripes in Mary's vision.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/seraphine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters