Simon Thornthwaite

Sarah Thornthwaite

Sarah and Simon are siblings, with a close but occasionally strained relationship due to family responsibilities.

Eliza of Blindbeck

Eliza and Simon share a tender, unspoken romantic attraction, marked by longing glances and quiet devotion.

Will Thornthwaite

Simon and Will are brothers, with Simon often acting as a mentor and Will looking up to him.

Mr. Dent

Mr. Dent is Simon's employer or senior colleague, with a formal but respectful working relationship.

May Fleming

May and Simon are close friends, often discussing village affairs and sharing confidences.

Geordie Thornthwaite

Geordie and Simon are brothers, with Geordie often seeking Simon's approval and advice.

Elliman Wilkinson

Elliman and Simon are casual acquaintances, with Elliman occasionally trying to impress Simon.

Sarah Thornthwaite

Sarah and Simon are siblings, with a close but occasionally strained relationship due to family responsibilities.

Sarah Thornthwaite

Sarah and Simon are siblings, with a close but occasionally strained relationship due to family responsibilities.

Will Thornthwaite

Simon and Will are brothers, with Simon often acting as a mentor and Will looking up to him.

Eliza of Blindbeck

Eliza and Simon share a tender, unspoken romantic attraction, marked by longing glances and quiet devotion.

Geordie Thornthwaite

Geordie and Simon are brothers, with Geordie often seeking Simon's approval and advice.

The Splendid Fairing

Travels to Witham with Sarah, meets agent Mr. Dent, accepts job at Blindbeck.

Part I: Simon and Sarah

Travels to Witham with Sarah, meets with agent Mr. Dent, and accepts a job as a hired man at Blindbeck Farm.

I

Drives the trap; decides it's time to quit the farm; becomes increasingly panicked by a following car.

II

Feels ashamed of his earlier outburst and worries about encountering their rival; reflects on the pervasive bitterness in their lives.

III

Anxious about Sarah's health, argues with a car driver over a parking spot, and seeks out May to accompany Sarah to the doctor.

IV

Sarah worries about telling him about her blindness; he is likely telling Will and Mr. Dent about leaving the farm.

V

Simon is mentioned as having told Will about the family's decision to leave Sandholes, which Eliza uses to taunt Sarah.

Chapter VI

Simon meets with Mr. Dent to discuss quitting Sandholes Farm, recounting the family feud and his son's departure.

Part II: Eliza

Simon is present as a passive figure, caught between the women's conflict and the practical demands of farm work, highlighting his diminished agency.

I

Enjoys telling the hearse-story at his favorite eating-house, forgets his morning interview, and later finds Sarah waiting for him.

II

Victim of Eliza's Method alongside Sarah, always compared unfavorably to Will.

III

Arrives late, resentful of the Blindbeck household, and argues with Sam Battersby over Sandholes farm.

Chapter IV

Visits Will at Blindbeck, discusses Sarah's blindness and poverty, refuses Will's offer of shelter, and considers taking Taylor's job.

V

Mentioned as the one who will yoke up; his success in Witham is contrasted with Sarah's fantasy.

VI

Simon overhears the commotion and enters the parlour with Will, alarmed by the confrontation.

VII

Simon is embarrassed and angry, trying to escape the scene; he threatens Eliza with a whip.

Chapter VIII

Simon is absorbed in planning the move to Blindbeck, feeling a bittersweet pull toward his boyhood with Will. He avoids thinking about Sarah's lie and focuses on the practical gains.

Part III: May

Mentioned in context of the family's decisions and May's interactions.

I

Unaware of May's offer; returns home tired and discouraged.

II

Expected to return with Sarah from market; May waits for them at Sandholes.

III

Simon is surprised and annoyed by May's late visit, scolding her for crossing the sands at dusk. He is preoccupied with the day's events and the chores awaiting him.

I

Guilty and relieved about his new position as a hired man, he tries to comfort Sarah but is consumed by his hatred for Eliza.

II

Simon is discussed by Sarah; she observes his guilt, relief, and growing pride about the new position at Blindbeck.

IV

Simon returns home anxious about May's safety, and later senses a change in the atmosphere, feeling guilty and uneasy about Sarah's behavior.