# Sally Hall — Short Fiction character guide

> Sally Hall in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sally Hall simple, the said Sally, Sally, Sarah, little Sal, the correct Sally

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

## Snapshot

A simple country girl whose romantic troubles become the raw material for another woman's letters and another woman's dreams.

## Who they are

Sally Hall, called Anna in her mistress's household, confesses her condition to Edith Harnham and depends on her to write the tender letters she cannot compose herself. She is passive where Edith is calculating, grateful for the borrowed niceness of expression that keeps her lover's interest alive, and she accepts the plan to marry in London without protest. Her simplicity and her trust make her the instrument through which Edith's own buried longings find their dangerous outlet.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Darton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mr_darton)

_romantic_

Mr. Darton and Sally Hall are involved in a romantic courtship, complicated by class differences.

### [Mr. Darton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mr_darton)

_romantic_

Mr. Darton and Sally Hall are involved in a romantic courtship, complicated by class differences.

### [Mr. Darton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mr_darton)

_romantic_

Mr. Darton and Sally Hall are involved in a romantic courtship, complicated by class differences.

## In the story

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

Not present in this chapter.

### [Interlopers at the Knap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/interlopers-at-the-knap)

Sally Hall is central to the events at the Knap, her actions and decisions driving the narrative.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/i)

Sally Hall is the woman Charles Darton plans to marry. He describes her as comely, independent, and simple, and has sent her a serviceable dress as a gift.

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

Sally is the daughter, awaiting her wedding to Mr. Darton. She shows fierce loyalty to her brother Philip despite the potential damage to her marriage prospects.

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

Sally discovers her fiancé Charles Darton with Helena in the stable, leading to tension. She later announces her brother's death and tells Darton he can now protect Helena.

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

Sally refuses to accompany Helena to meet Darton, writes a note encouraging him to marry Helena, and later is considered by Darton as a potential wife after Helena's death.

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

Firmly refuses Darton's proposal, stating she is content as a single woman and does not wish to marry.

## Links

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