Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town · Character

Zena Pepperleigh

The spirited daughter of Judge Pepperleigh and the romantic interest of Peter Pupkin.

major

Also known as Zena, Zena Pepperleigh

First appearance: sunshine sketches of a little town

As a major figure in Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, Zena Pepperleigh is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The judge's daughter, met by Pupkin during the letter-writing campaign; their handwriting is noted to be alike.

In the storyIV: The Ministrations of the Rev. Mr. DroneOpen this moment free

Zena sits on the judge's piazza reading novels, dreaming of armoured knights and Algerian corsairs, and half-unconsciously collecting suitors. She is beautiful, bookish, and given to a sweet resignation that drives Pupkin to distraction. Her taste for poetry and romance sets the terms of the town's courtship rituals, and her choices shape the young men who orbit her.

See Zena Pepperleigh in IV: The Ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Drone Book page

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Character Web

2 connections

A slice of how Zena Pepperleigh sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Background townsfolk and romantics
Protagonist
Pepperleigh family circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the climax occurs as Judge Pepperleigh’s wildly inconsistent emotional swings—between rage an…

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In the story

Zena Pepperleigh appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV: The Ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Drone
The judge's daughter, met by Pupkin during the letter-writing campaign; their handwriting is noted to be alike.
VII: The Extraordinary Entanglement of Mr. Pupkin
The judge's daughter, courted by Pupkin; she shows affection for her father by calling him 'Daddy' even in company.
VIII: The Foreordained Attachment of Zena Pepperleigh and Peter Pupkin
Dreams of heroes and romance; initially unaware of Pupkin's feelings but shares a foreordained connection with him.
The Mariposa Bank Mystery
Pupkin's love interest; dances with a visiting university student at the Firemen's Ball, prompting Pupkin's despair; later enjoys ice cream with Pupkin on the verandah.

Chapter companion notes

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See Zena Pepperleigh in sunshine sketches of a little town

See Zena Pepperleigh in IV: The Ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Drone