Mrs. Vanderpool

Zora Cresswell

Mrs. Vanderpool is a wealthy white patron who manipulates Zora, seeing her as a project to control and exploit for her own social agenda.

Mr. Easterly

Mr. Easterly is a political ally and business associate of Mrs. Vanderpool, working together to advance their mutual interests in the cotton trade.

Harry Cresswell

Harry and Mrs. Vanderpool have a flirtatious, manipulative relationship, each using the other for social and financial gain.

Colonel Cresswell

Colonel Cresswell and Mrs. Vanderpool are business partners in the cotton industry, cooperating despite underlying distrust.

Zora Cresswell

Mrs. Vanderpool is a wealthy white patron who manipulates Zora, seeing her as a project to control and exploit for her own social agenda.

Zora Cresswell

Mrs. Vanderpool is a wealthy white patron who manipulates Zora, seeing her as a project to control and exploit for her own social agenda.

Mr. Easterly

Mr. Easterly is a political ally and business associate of Mrs. Vanderpool, working together to advance their mutual interests in the cotton trade.

Harry Cresswell

Harry and Mrs. Vanderpool have a flirtatious, manipulative relationship, each using the other for social and financial gain.

Colonel Cresswell

Colonel Cresswell and Mrs. Vanderpool are business partners in the cotton industry, cooperating despite underlying distrust.

Colonel Cresswell

Colonel Cresswell and Mrs. Vanderpool are business partners in the cotton industry, cooperating despite underlying distrust.

Harry Cresswell

Harry and Mrs. Vanderpool have a flirtatious, manipulative relationship, each using the other for social and financial gain.

Mr. Easterly

Mr. Easterly is a political ally and business associate of Mrs. Vanderpool, working together to advance their mutual interests in the cotton trade.

II: The School

A wealthy visitor who refuses to donate, viewing the students as servants rather than equals.

VI: Cotton

A wealthy socialite who holds condescending views on educating Black people, reflecting the era's class and race hierarchies.

XIII: Mrs. Grey Gives a Dinner

Adds a dismissive anecdote about a servant's piano lessons, illustrating Northern condescension.

XVI: The Great Refusal

Mrs. Vanderpool is present at the meeting and moves toward the door when Miss Smith refuses the offer. She had previously left Miss Smith 'coldly in the lurch.'

The Rape of the Fleece

Observes the Christmas market as 'unusually interesting' and recognizes Zora as 'our Venus of the Roadside.'

XX: The Weaving of the Silver Fleece

Stopping at Cresswell Oaks, she is looking for a new maid and becomes interested in Zora after seeing her in town. She visits Miss Smith to inquire about hiring her.

The Marriage Morning

Mrs. Vanderpool hires Zora, finding her a 'jewel' and a soothing presence, and watches her work with curious silence.

XXIII: The Training of Zora

Finds a new human interest in Zora, training her in art and taste. She is amused by Zora's observations and is considering taking her to France, though her motives are partly selfish.

The Campaign

Acts on Zora's suggestion to secure a high political position for Bles, relaying the idea to Mr. Easterly.

XXVI: Congressman Cresswell

Defends Alwyn's appointment, showing interest in honest politics.

XXVII: The Vision of Zora

Attends the settlement meeting, supports Zora, and attempts to arrange for Zora to attend the colored ball, revealing her well-meaning but patronizing attitude.

The Annunciation

Attends the inaugural ball and later the Negro ball, where she greets Miss Wynn. She is also noted as a strong influence backing Bles Alwyn's appointment.

XXX: The Return of Zora

Admits her lie about the embassy, faces political defeat, and vows to secure her husband's confirmation.

A Parting of Ways

She secretly works to discredit the Cresswells in Washington society, using the art exhibit as a means to expose racial hypocrisy and undermine their political influence.

XXXII: Zora's Way

Her gift of a check, which Zora discovers is for ten thousand dollars, becomes the financial cornerstone of Zora's plans for the school and a new community.