# The Dreamer — The Pearl character guide > The Dreamer in The Pearl by Anonymous. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Unknown, your, thou, thy, myself, Thee, Thine, Your **First appearance:** 0001-the-pearl ## Snapshot A grieving father who falls asleep in an arbor and wakes to a vision of his lost daughter, only to find his certainties dismantled by her patient correction. ## Who they are The dreamer enters the poem as a 'joyless jeweler,' mourning a pearl that slipped through the grass and vanished into earth's jaws, convinced his loss is final and his grief irreparable. When the maiden appears in pearl-bedecked glory, he greets her with possessive joy—believing she is truly here, that he will dwell with her, that he is free to cross the stream—and she gently exposes each assumption as pride and bigotry, the error of loving only what the eye can see. His struggle to reconcile earthly sorrow with heavenly promise drives the poem's movement from lament to instruction, making him the reader's companion in the difficult work of faith. ## Relationships ### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/the_prince) _psychological_ The Dreamer is overwhelmed by the Prince's majesty and feels a mix of awe, fear, and longing for acceptance. ### [The Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/the_lamb) _family_ The Dreamer's relationship with the Lamb is that of a grieving parent to a lost child, filled with love and the hope of reunion. ### [John the Apostle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/john_the_apostle) _friendship_ The Dreamer and John the Apostle share a respectful, guiding friendship, with John acting as a mentor and companion. ### [Jesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/jesus) _psychological_ The Dreamer sees Jesus as the ultimate judge and redeemer, and his relationship is one of humble supplication and reverence. ### [The Pearl Maiden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/the_pearl_maiden) _family_ The Dreamer's bond with the Pearl Maiden is that of a father to his deceased daughter, marked by deep affection and sorrow. ### [Chaucer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/chaucer) _social_ Chaucer and the Dreamer share a brief, formal acquaintance, with Chaucer serving as a narrative frame or fellow traveler. ### [The Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/the_lamb) _family_ The Dreamer's relationship with the Lamb is that of a grieving parent to a lost child, filled with love and the hope of reunion. ### [The Pearl Maiden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/the_pearl_maiden) _family_ The Dreamer's bond with the Pearl Maiden is that of a father to his deceased daughter, marked by deep affection and sorrow. ### [Jesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/jesus) _psychological_ Jesus is the object of the Dreamer's spiritual devotion and awe, representing the ultimate source of salvation and truth. ### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/the_prince) _psychological_ The Dreamer is overwhelmed by the Prince's majesty and feels a mix of awe, fear, and longing for acceptance. ### [A Judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/a_judge) _professional_ A Judge appears as an authority figure who questions or evaluates the Dreamer, representing divine or earthly justice. ### [John the Apostle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/john_the_apostle) _professional_ John the Apostle serves as a guide and interpreter for the Dreamer, explaining the heavenly vision and the Lamb's significance. ## In the story ### [The Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/the-pearl) The narrator, a jeweler, is introduced in a state of profound grief over the loss of his pearl. His sorrow is so deep that it leads him into a dream-like state. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/i) The narrator who laments the loss of his pearl and falls asleep in the arbour. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/ii) The narrator, whose spirit leaves his sleeping body to explore the paradise landscape. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/iii) Continues his journey, feeling joy and longing, and recognizes the maiden. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/iv) Stands frozen in fear and awe as the maiden approaches, uncertain if she is a spirit. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/v) Grieves for the lost pearl, but is corrected by the maiden for his misguided thoughts. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/vi) Protests his fate and questions God's justice, showing pride and lack of submission. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/vii) Confesses his grief and sin, pleads for comfort, and asks about the Maiden's life. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/viii) Questions the Maiden's queenship, expressing doubt about her worthiness. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/ix) Questions the Maiden's queenship, expressing doubt that one so young and unlearned could become a queen. ### [Chapter X: The Parable of the Vineyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/x) Questions the fairness of the parable, citing the Psalm about God's justice. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xi) Questions the fairness of equal reward for latecomers, prompting the Maiden's response. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xiii) Questions the Maiden about the meaning of the pearl and her unique status as queen. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xv) Humbly addresses the maiden, calling himself 'dung and dust' and expressing his desire to ask a question. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xvi) Continues to question the Maiden about the heavenly city, expressing a desire to see it. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xvii) The narrator, who climbs the hill and beholds the New Jerusalem, recognizing it as the fulfillment of John's Revelation. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xviii) The Dreamer stands in awe, comparing himself to a startled quail, overwhelmed by the beauty of the heavenly city. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xix) The Dreamer observes the heavenly scene and feels intense longing to cross the river to join the blessed. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/chapters/xx) Attempts to cross the river to reach the Pearl Maiden, but is turned aside and wakes from the dream. He expresses sorrow and resignation, ultimately submitting to the Prince's will. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters/the_dreamer - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pearl_se/characters