Mrs. Harry Cresswell

Mr. Harry Cresswell

Visits the school to intimidate Miss Smith, but is charmed by Mary Taylor. He accuses Zora of being 'utterly depraved' and demands her expulsion.

X: Mr. Taylor Calls

Hosts Mary Taylor on a ride, showing her the plantation and its workers, while also engaging in the business discussion with John Taylor.

XIII: Mrs. Grey Gives a Dinner

Articulates the Southern paternalistic stance on Negro education, advocating limited training and warning against 'amalgamation.'

Revelation

Furious about Mrs. Grey's education plans, he conspires with Taylor and Easterly to control Negro education, revealing his deep-seated racial and economic motivations.

XVI: The Great Refusal

Mr. Cresswell is present at the meeting and is the primary object of Miss Smith's objection. He agrees with the idea of Black development but differs on its applications, and he moves to the window when Miss Smith refuses the offer.

The Rape of the Fleece

Oversees the Christmas settlement. He acknowledges the quality of Zora's cotton but calculates her earnings to leave her in debt, effectively stealing the Silver Fleece.

The Cotton Corner

Deeply involved in the cotton corner scheme, he becomes increasingly nervous and desperate as prices fall, risking his family's entire fortune.

XX: The Weaving of the Silver Fleece

In favor of hastening his sister's marriage and his own, he suggests sending the prize cotton bales to John Taylor as a gift.

The Marriage Morning

Harry observes Zora's transformation with amusement and is involved in the wedding preparations, though his motives remain ambiguous.

XXIII: The Training of Zora

Visits Mrs. Vanderpool and expresses concern about Zora's treatment, warning that it is unfair to give her 'impossible ideas' in America. She mentions Bles Alwyn's position in Washington.

XXVI: Congressman Cresswell

Elected to Congress through family influence; actively plots against Bles Alwyn's appointment.

XXVII: The Vision of Zora

Seeks purpose in social reform, attends the Civic Club meeting, and becomes involved in settlement work, feeling her world expanded.

The Annunciation

Attends the inaugural ball with his wife, where he is irritated by the Negro ball and later confronts Mary about her Civic Club work, demanding she quit.

A Parting of Ways

After a long illness and the loss of her child, she returns to Washington with a changed appearance and a determination to atone for her past by advancing her husband's career. She confronts Carrie Wynn over the art exhibit and later overhears a phone call that deepens her fears.

A Parting of Ways

He is the focus of his wife's renewed ambitions, but he remains distant and is drawn to social engagements outside the home, causing Mary to fear losing him.

XXXIV: The Return of Alwyn

Torn by her own troubles, she misreads Alwyn's intentions and nearly betrays him to her husband.

The Mob

Seeks to atone for past mistakes by scheming to marry Emma to Bles, viewing Zora as a leader.