# Asenath Waite — Short Fiction character guide

> Asenath Waite in Short Fiction by H. P. Lovecraft.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Asenath

**First appearance:** 0072-the-thing-on-the-doorstep

## Snapshot

A brilliant, domineering young woman from a sorcerous Innsmouth line who studies forbidden texts and seems to wear her husband's face at will.

## Who they are

Asenath arrives at Arkham as the daughter of old Ephraim Waite, already whispered about for hypnotic influence over schoolgirls and an unnerving command of occult learning. She marries Edward Derby and steadily absorbs his family ties, his will, and even, by some accounts, his body, while her own features age and his grow childlike. Her insistence on staying in the Crowninshield house and her uncanny backhand script keep everyone guessing whether she is wife, sorcerer, or something wearing both.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_psychological_

Asenath Waite is a mysterious and manipulative figure who exerts a disturbing influence over the narrator and those around her, often linked to body-swapping and dark magic.

### [Edward Derby Upton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/edward_derby_upton)

_romantic_

Asenath Waite is married to Edward Derby Upton, but their relationship is toxic and controlling, with Asenath using her occult powers to dominate him.

### [Edward Derby Upton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/edward_derby_upton)

_romantic_

Asenath Waite is married to Edward Derby Upton, but their relationship is toxic and controlling, with Asenath using her occult powers to dominate him.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_psychological_

Asenath Waite is a mysterious and manipulative figure who exerts a disturbing influence over the narrator and those around her, often linked to body-swapping and dark magic.

## In the story

### [The Thing on the Doorstep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-thing-on-the-doorstep)

The strange, dark-eyed woman who marries Edward and is later revealed to be possessed by her father's spirit.

### [The Thing on the Doorstep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/1)

Mentioned as a figure connected to Edward Derby; her strange influence is hinted at in the narrator's account.

### [The Meeting of Edward Derby and Asenath Waite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/2)

A young woman from Innsmouth, daughter of Ephraim Waite, with hypnotic powers and a desire for male cosmic power.

### [The Unseen Exchange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/3)

Ages rapidly after marriage, displays a determined and repulsive aspect, and is suspected of using hypnotic or telepathic control over Edward.

### [The Possession of Edward Derby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/4)

Derby's wife, accused of using black magic to inhabit his body and perform occult rites, leaving him trapped in her female shell.

### [The Struggle for Identity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/5)

Revealed to be possessed by her father Ephraim; she leaves after a confrontation with Edward.

### [Chapter 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/6)

Her soul appears to have taken over Edward's body, as evidenced by her mannerisms and voice.

### [Chapter 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/7)

The deceased witch whose soul continues to inhabit Edward's body after death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/asenath_waite
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters