# Anna — Short Fiction character guide

> Anna in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0002-destiny-and-a-blue-cloak

## Snapshot

A young woman whose lover's child is coming, and whose mistress writes the letters that keep his affection alive in her place.

## Who they are

Anna is a servant whose romance with the well-born Raye has left her pregnant and dependent on her mistress Edith Harnham's protection. Terrified of losing him, she lets Edith compose the tender letters that hold his interest, even as her own feelings chafe against the borrowed words. Her predicament forces Edith into a strange, self-denying intimacy with the man she herself desires.

## Relationships

### [Milly Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/milly_richards)

_friendship_

Anna and Milly are devoted friends, sharing a bond of loyalty and mutual support.

### [Shadrach Jolliffe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/shadrach_jolliffe)

_romantic_

Anna and Shadrach are lovers, their relationship marked by passion and eventual tragedy.

### [Lizzy Newberry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/lizzy_newberry)

_friendship_

Anna and Lizzy are close friends, often sharing their romantic and personal struggles.

### [Lizzy Newberry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/lizzy_newberry)

_friendship_

Anna and Lizzy are close friends, often sharing their romantic and personal struggles.

### [Milly Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/milly_richards)

_friendship_

Anna and Milly are devoted friends, sharing a bond of loyalty and mutual support.

### [Lizzy Newberry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/lizzy_newberry)

_friendship_

Anna and Lizzy are close friends, often sharing their romantic and personal struggles.

### [Milly Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/milly_richards)

_friendship_

Anna and Milly are devoted friends, sharing a bond of loyalty and mutual support.

### [Shadrach Jolliffe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/shadrach_jolliffe)

_romantic_

Anna and Shadrach are lovers, their relationship marked by passion and eventual tragedy.

### [Shadrach Jolliffe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/shadrach_jolliffe)

_romantic_

Anna and Shadrach are lovers, their relationship marked by passion and eventual tragedy.

## In the story

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/xvii)

Not present in this chapter.

### [A Tragedy of Two Ambitions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/a-tragedy-of-two-ambitions)

The Halboroughs' sister, whose engagement to a wealthy man is jeopardized by her father's drunken behavior.

### [For Conscience’ Sake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/for-conscience-sake)

The daughter of Mr. Millborne and Selina, caught in the middle of her parents' complicated reunion.

### [Andrey Satchel and the Parson and Clerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/andrey-satchel-and-the-parson-and-clerk)

The bride, older than Andrey and anxious to marry him before he changes his mind.

### [Dame the Seventh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/dame-the-seventh)

Lady Baxby, the sister of the Parliamentarian commander, who courageously confronts her brother and later quarrels with her husband over political loyalties.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ii)

Mrs. Harnham's young maidservant, who has attracted the attention of Charles Bradford at the fair.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iii)

The young peasant girl who has captured Raye's affections. She writes a charming and self-possessed letter, showing restraint and dignity.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iv)

Illiterate young woman who receives letters from Raye and relies on Edith to read and write replies.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/v)

Leaves Mrs. Harnham's house, returns to the Plain, and asks Edith to continue the correspondence.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vi)

Simple, unlettered bride who confesses she did not write the letters.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/anna
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters