# Raftery — The Well of Loneliness character guide > Raftery in The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** poor Raftery **First appearance:** 0003-book-i ## Who they are An Irish groom at Morton who becomes a loyal friend to Stephen. ## Relationships ### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon) _friendship_ Raftery is a fellow writer and invert who becomes Stephen's close friend and mentor in Paris. ### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon) _friendship_ Raftery is a fellow writer and invert who becomes Stephen's close friend and mentor in Paris. ### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon) _friendship_ Raftery is a fellow writer and invert who becomes Stephen's close friend and mentor in Paris. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Raftery is Stephen's beloved horse, representing her deep connection to nature and her escape from the pressures of society and family. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Raftery is Stephen's beloved horse, symbolizing her bond with nature and her escape from societal pressures. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) The grey-coated hunter bought from Ireland, forms a devoted bond with Stephen and proves his courage by jumping a formidable hedge. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as Stephen's horse; her thoughts are with him as she is dressed for riding. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as loving Stephen and being loved by her, highlighting the enduring bond despite the new motorcar. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Stephen's horse, a confidant to whom she vents her frustration about being 'put into harness' by her studies. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Now ten years old, Raftery listens to Stephen's boasts but senses she is missing a deeper, age-old wisdom that comes from the natural world. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as someone Stephen boasted to about her fine brain, though it fails her in social situations. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as a contrast: the ten-year-old Raftery is now wiser than Sir Philip. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Thought of by Stephen during the church service; Stephen brings him a carrot. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) The beloved horse that Stephen and Williams admire; a source of comfort for Stephen. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a horse Williams hopes Stephen will hunt. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Stephen's horse, who understands her sorrow and shares her regret about giving up the chase. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Raftery is one of the few remaining horses and provides comfort to Stephen after the hunters are sold. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's horse, who sniffs Angela and blows through his nostrils, showing disapproval. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v) Ralph is initially disappointed to see Stephen, but bonds with her over roses; his mood shifts between sulkiness and good humor. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's horse; they share a quiet, loving communion; Stephen tends to his needs and reflects on their history. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as one of the horses Stephen rides wildly to vent her frustration. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's horse, brought to London and stabled with Jim. Both are exiles from Morton, and their rides in the Park are melancholy. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Aged horse, now lame and in pain, shares a quiet moment with Stephen before she plans his journey home. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii) Stephen's aging horse, making his last journey back to Morton, his strength and youth faded. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii) Stephen's gallant horse, euthanized due to pain, whose death triggers a profound emotional response from those who loved him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv) Remembered through his empty loosebox; Stephen touches the straw where he slept and whispers goodbye. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Stephen's horse, now dead; she shot him after he went lame. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i) Referenced as a subject of Mary's interest in Stephen's photographs. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/raftery - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters