# Professor Westervelt — The Blithedale Romance character guide

> Professor Westervelt in The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Westervelt

**First appearance:** 0011-x-a-visitor-from-town

## Snapshot

A suave mesmerist whose staged exhibitions of the Veiled Lady blur science, humbug, and something darker, drawing curious crowds and private queries alike.

## Who they are

Westervelt is the impresario behind the Veiled Lady, a phenomenon whose veiled identity and contrived stagecraft make her the talk of the town. He trades in mystery and suggestion, cultivating an air of scientific experiment while keeping his subject's true self conveniently hidden. His presence lingers at the edges of Blithedale's experiment, a reminder that the community's ideals may be entangled with manipulation, spectacle, and unseen control.

## Relationships

### [Zenobia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/zenobia)

_psychological_

Westervelt is Zenobia's former lover and manipulator, exerting a sinister influence over her and exploiting her pride and vulnerability.

### [Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/priscilla)

_psychological_

Westervelt controls Priscilla as the Veiled Lady, using mesmerism to exploit her for public performances and personal gain.

### [Zenobia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/zenobia)

_psychological_

Westervelt is Zenobia's former lover and manipulator, exerting a sinister influence over her and exploiting her pride and vulnerability.

### [Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/priscilla)

_psychological_

Westervelt controls Priscilla as the Veiled Lady, using mesmerism to exploit her for public performances and personal gain.

## In the story

### [XI: The Wood-Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xi-the-wood-path)

Interrupts Coverdale's walk; inquires about Zenobia and Priscilla; mocks Hollingsworth; reveals his gold teeth and humbug nature.

### [XII: Coverdale's Hermitage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xii-coverdale-s-hermitage)

Walks with Zenobia in the wood; his skeptical influence affects Coverdale.

### [XVIII: The Boardinghouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xviii-the-boardinghouse)

Appears behind Zenobia in the drawing-room, displaying a sinister smile; Coverdale notes his catlike circumspection.

### [XIX: Zenobia’s Drawing-Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xix-zenobia-s-drawing-room)

Mentioned in Coverdale's meditations as being connected with Zenobia and Priscilla.

### [XX: They Vanish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xx-they-vanish)

Arrives elaborately dressed, takes Priscilla's arm, and departs with Zenobia and Priscilla in a carriage.

### [Fauntleroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxii-fauntleroy)

The handsome gentleman who visits Priscilla, rumored to be a wizard exploiting her ethereal nature.

### [The Masqueraders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiv-the-masqueraders)

Dressed as the fiendish fiddler in the masquerade, playing Satanic music.

### [Blithedale Pasture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxviii-blithedale-pasture)

Appears at the grave, coldly comments on Zenobia's suicide, and argues she had many brilliant possibilities ahead.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/professor_westervelt
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters