Fred Merrit

Mr. Shine

Fred and Mr. Shine are locked in a bitter rivalry, both professionally and personally, each trying to outmaneuver the other.

Tod Bruce

Fred and Tod work together, with Tod serving as Fred's associate, but their partnership is purely business-oriented.

J. Pennington Potter

Fred and J. Pennington Potter have a professional relationship, likely as business partners or colleagues in legal matters.

Jinx Jenkins

Fred and Jinx are acquaintances, but their interactions are limited and often strained by their different social standings.

Nora Byle

Fred and Nora are acquaintances, with their interactions mostly occurring in social or community settings.

Mr. Shine

Fred and Mr. Shine are locked in a bitter rivalry, both professionally and personally, each trying to outmaneuver the other.

Mr. Shine

Fred and Mr. Shine are locked in a bitter rivalry, both professionally and personally, each trying to outmaneuver the other.

Tod Bruce

Fred and Tod work together, with Tod serving as Fred's associate, but their partnership is purely business-oriented.

Tod Bruce

Fred and Tod work together, with Tod serving as Fred's associate, but their partnership is purely business-oriented.

J. Pennington Potter

Fred and J. Pennington Potter have a professional relationship, likely as business partners or colleagues in legal matters.

Jinx Jenkins

Fred and Jinx are acquaintances, but their interactions are limited and often strained by their different social standings.

J. Pennington Potter

Fred and J. Pennington Potter have a professional relationship, likely as business partners or colleagues in legal matters.

I

A Black lawyer whose planned move to Court Avenue is the subject of the argument about a potential riot.

III

The wealthy client whose move is planned; he is the target of Patmore's resentment.

IV

Announces his purchase of a house on Court Avenue, intending to live there despite expected opposition. Expresses his racial hatred and personal motives, including his devotion to his deceased mother.

V

Greets the moving crew with surprising cordiality, shares the threatening letter he received, and gives casual instructions about his furniture.

Uplift

Represents a potential avenue for Pat's advancement, embodying the theme of economic uplift.

The Box of J. Pennington Potter

Present in Potter's box, he engages in a sarcastic dialogue with Miss Cramp, concealing his identity and using the conversation to vent his frustrations about racial prejudice and his own mixed heritage.

Chapter XI

Engages Miss Cramp in a provocative discussion about race and power, discovers they are neighbors, and recognizes Linda.

XII

Discussed in conversation; revealed to be a Negro, shocking Miss Cramp.

XV

Mentioned as the employer who approves hiring Linda and is a generous man.

XVII

Mentioned as Linda's new employer, described by Shine as a 'jig' and a 'dickty' who drinks too much.

Walls

Represents a figure whose actions and secrets contribute to the walls between characters.

XIX

Merrit's piano is being moved; his house is the setting for the accident.

XXI

Found alone in the wreckage of his home, slumped over and crying while clutching the burnt frame of his mother's portrait.

XXIII

Merrit is referenced as crying like a baby, and Shine reflects on letting him off unpunished.

Jericho

Mentor or business associate, may be part of planning or partnership discussions.

Chapter XXIV

Reacts to the truth about the arson, shows racial prejudice, and offers Shine a business partnership.

Chapter XXV

Discussed by Miss Cramp, who accuses him of deceit for passing as white, reflecting the racial tensions surrounding the fire.

XXVI

Merrit watches Shine and Linda leave, feeling a sense of loss and reflecting on his own circumstances.