# Zenobia — The Blithedale Romance character guide > Zenobia in The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the fair Zenobia, Queen Zenobia, Coverdale Zenobia **First appearance:** 0003-ii-blithedale ## Snapshot A gorgeous, self-dramatizing intellect who treats Blithedale as one stage among many, she commands every room while keeping her deepest nature just out of reach. ## Who they are Zenobia arrives at the farm like a great actress trailing her own legend, brilliant in conversation and impatient with any life that admits only one set of forms. She offers the community a condescending, qualified approval that stings Coverdale into trying to strip the performance away and find something real beneath it. Her rivalry with the fragile Priscilla, and the question of which woman Hollingsworth truly sees, quietly drives the novel's central knot of love and power. ## Relationships ### [Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/priscilla) _family_ Priscilla and Zenobia are half-sisters, with Zenobia initially unaware of their blood relation, leading to a complex mix of rivalry and protectiveness. ### [Miles Coverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/miles_coverdale) _psychological_ Coverdale is obsessively fascinated by Zenobia, observing her as a detached voyeur rather than a genuine friend or lover. ### [Old Moodie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/old_moodie) _family_ Old Moodie is Zenobia's father, though he conceals his identity and watches her from a distance due to his shame and poverty. ### [Professor Westervelt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/professor_westervelt) _psychological_ Westervelt is Zenobia's former lover and manipulator, exerting a sinister influence over her and exploiting her pride and vulnerability. ### [Silas Foster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/silas_foster) _social_ Silas Foster and Zenobia are fellow Blithedale residents, with Foster treating her with a mix of rustic respect and bemusement. ### [Fauntleroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/fauntleroy) _family_ Fauntleroy is the earlier identity of Old Moodie, Zenobia's father, whose past disgrace and abandonment shape her tragic fate. ### [Miles Coverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/miles_coverdale) _psychological_ Coverdale is obsessively fascinated by Zenobia, observing her as a detached voyeur rather than a genuine friend or lover. ### [Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/priscilla) _family_ Priscilla and Zenobia are half-sisters, with Zenobia initially unaware of their blood relation, leading to a complex mix of rivalry and protectiveness. ### [Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/priscilla) _family_ Priscilla and Zenobia are half-sisters, with Zenobia initially unaware of their blood relation, leading to a complex mix of rivalry and protectiveness. ### [Old Moodie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/old_moodie) _family_ Old Moodie is Zenobia's father, though he conceals his identity and watches her from a distance due to his shame and poverty. ### [Silas Foster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/silas_foster) _social_ Silas Foster and Zenobia are fellow Blithedale residents, with Foster treating her with a mix of rustic respect and bemusement. ### [Professor Westervelt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/professor_westervelt) _psychological_ Westervelt is Zenobia's former lover and manipulator, exerting a sinister influence over her and exploiting her pride and vulnerability. ## In the story ### [The Blithedale Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/the-blithedale-romance) A striking, intelligent woman who embodies both charm and mystery. ### [Old Moodie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/i-old-moodie) Mentioned as a resident at Blithedale; Coverdale has not yet met her personally. ### [Blithedale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/ii-blithedale) Enters the parlor after Coverdale's arrival; described as having an imperial figure and deportment, and using a pseudonym as her magazine signature. ### [A Knot of Dreamers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/iii-a-knot-of-dreamers) Welcomes the newcomers with warmth and wit; her beauty, vitality, and the exotic flower in her hair are described in detail; she speaks of Hollingsworth with admiration. ### [IV: The Supper-Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/iv-the-supper-table) Initially sharp and cautious toward Priscilla, but softens after Hollingsworth's reproach; accepts the girl into the household. ### [Until Bedtime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/v-until-bedtime) Zenobia shows a mix of vexation and kindness toward Priscilla, offering a caress that transforms the girl's demeanor. She speculates about Priscilla's background, suggesting she is a seamstress from the city. ### [VI: Coverdale’s Sick-Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/vi-coverdale-s-sick-chamber) Brings Coverdale gruel daily, converses vivaciously, wears a fresh exotic flower in her hair, and is perceived as a magnificent woman with a mysterious life. ### [The Convalescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/vii-the-convalescent) Priscilla's primary object of affection; Zenobia sometimes appears annoyed by Priscilla's close attendance. ### [A Modern Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/viii-a-modern-arcadia) Decked Priscilla with wildflowers and a malicious weed; speaks of women's limited fate and praises Hollingsworth's influence. ### [IX: Hollingsworth, Zenobia, Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/ix-hollingsworth-zenobia-priscilla) Shows jealousy and a tragic intensity; Coverdale notes her noble traits but fears for her emotional vulnerability. ### [A Visitor from Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/x-a-visitor-from-town) Seen with Priscilla at a window; Moodie asks about her kindness to Priscilla. ### [XI: The Wood-Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xi-the-wood-path) Subject of Westervelt's inquiries; described as having an 'uncomfortable surplus of vitality' and being the 'better model of womanhood'; Coverdale directs Westervelt to her favorite walk. ### [XII: Coverdale's Hermitage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xii-coverdale-s-hermitage) Seen in intense conversation with Westervelt, showing anger and past intimacy. ### [XIII: Zenobia's Legend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xiii-zenobia-s-legend) Zenobia is the storyteller, weaving a legend about the Veiled Lady and using a piece of gauze to dramatically veil Priscilla at the story's climax. ### [Eliot's Pulpit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xiv-eliot-s-pulpit) Passionately argues for women's rights but shows vulnerability and love for Hollingsworth through a secret gesture. ### [XV: A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xv-a-crisis) Implied to be the source of Hollingsworth's funding, though her full involvement is left ambiguous. ### [XVI: Leave-Takings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xvi-leave-takings) Bids Coverdale farewell with a pitying look; speaks of women's rights and hints at personal turmoil, declining to confide in him. ### [XVIII: The Boardinghouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xviii-the-boardinghouse) Seen in the drawing-room of the opposite house, elegantly dressed with a flower in her hair, engaged in conversation with Westervelt. ### [XIX: Zenobia’s Drawing-Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xix-zenobia-s-drawing-room) Hosts Coverdale in her luxurious drawing-room; defends Hollingsworth passionately; shows distress when Coverdale mentions Hollingsworth's tenderness toward Priscilla. ### [XX: They Vanish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xx-they-vanish) Hosts Priscilla in her boudoir, warns Coverdale against interference, and departs with Westervelt and Priscilla. ### [An Old Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxi-an-old-acquaintance) Mentioned as another person Coverdale hopes to learn about through Moodie. ### [Fauntleroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxii-fauntleroy) Referred to as the beautiful elder daughter of Fauntleroy, the object of Priscilla's devoted affection. ### [A Village Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiii-a-village-hall) Mentioned by Coverdale and Hollingsworth; her whereabouts are uncertain. ### [The Masqueraders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiv-the-masqueraders) Appears as a gypsy fortune-teller in the masquerade; later confronts Coverdale at Eliot's Pulpit. ### [The Three Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxv-the-three-together) Appears as a dethroned queen, passionate and defiant. She confronts Hollingsworth, accusing him of ruining her and sacrificing Priscilla, and ultimately is left alone. ### [XXVI: Zenobia and Coverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxvi-zenobia-and-coverdale) Grief-stricken and defiant after Hollingsworth's rejection; she speaks of her doom, gives away her jeweled flower, and bids farewell to Coverdale. ### [XXVII: Midnight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxvii-midnight) Found drowned in the river; her body is described in rigid, defiant posture. ### [Blithedale Pasture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxviii-blithedale-pasture) Buried in the Blithedale pasture; her death is mourned and debated by Coverdale and Westervelt. ### [Miles Coverdale's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxix-miles-coverdale-s-confession) Her death haunts Coverdale, making the Blithedale soil feel like her grave. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/zenobia - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters