# Barbara — The Well of Loneliness character guide

> Barbara in The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** VII Barbara, V Barbara

**First appearance:** 0141-iii

## Who they are

A friend of Stephen and Mary in the Parisian circle.

## Relationships

### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/jim)

_romantic_

Barbara and Jim are a devoted same-sex couple within Stephen's social circle, representing stable love.

### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/jim)

_romantic_

Barbara and Jim are a devoted same-sex couple within Stephen's social circle, representing stable love.

### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/jim)

_romantic_

Barbara and Jim are a devoted same-sex couple within Stephen's social circle, representing stable love.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii)

A fragile, loving woman who has been Jamie's companion since childhood, longing to escape the hostility of their village.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Lives in poverty with Jamie in a cold, bare studio; suffers from a persistent cough that worries Jamie; prays earnestly each night for Jamie's well-being.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii)

Jamie's companion; has a fit of coughing and is watched anxiously by Jamie.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Guest at Christmas dinner, dances with Jamie.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Frail and coughing; exhausted by housework; hides her pain from Jamie; refuses help from Stephen and Mary.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii)

Stays at home or spends evenings with Stephen and Mary.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv)

Falls seriously ill with a pain in her side after being out in the cold following a quarrel with Jamie.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v)

Lying unconscious in the tiny room with the eye-shaped window, suffering from double pneumonia; her heart is weak.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vi)

Barbara is the patient, lying with a wasted face and painful breathing, unable to speak.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vii)

Barbara dies peacefully, kissing Jamie's hand and trying to speak words of forgiveness and love before her death.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/viii)

Barbara is referenced as the woman Jamie loved, whose death and the fear of defiling her name drove Jamie to suicide.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the other deceased lover, whose last illness is recalled.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii)

Barbara's tragic ending with Jamie is mourned by Stephen, who rails against the injustice of their persecution.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/barbara
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters