Sylvia Marshall

Joanna Marshall

Joanna and Sylvia are sisters, with Sylvia often serving as a grounding influence on Joanna.

Maggie Ellersley

Maggie and Sylvia share a warm friendship, with Sylvia often offering Maggie emotional support.

Philip Marshall

Philip and Sylvia are siblings, with a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family pressures.

Joanna Marshall

Joanna and Sylvia are sisters, with Sylvia often serving as a grounding influence on Joanna.

Joanna Marshall

Joanna and Sylvia are sisters, with Sylvia often serving as a grounding influence on Joanna.

Maggie Ellersley

Maggie and Sylvia share a warm friendship, with Sylvia often offering Maggie emotional support.

Philip Marshall

Philip and Sylvia are siblings, with a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family pressures.

Maggie Ellersley

Maggie and Sylvia share a warm friendship, with Sylvia often offering Maggie emotional support.

Philip Marshall

Philip and Sylvia are siblings, with a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family pressures.

There Is Confusion

Sylvia represents a contrasting path, embodying traditional expectations and serving as a foil to Joanna's ambitions.

I

Another of Joanna's older siblings, also described as average and lacking ambition.

II

Joanna's older sister, quick-witted and versatile, she contrasts with Joanna's seriousness and often scoffs at her, but shows skill in sewing and creating striking effects.

VI

Joanna's sister, who appears briefly at the school entrance, laughing with Maggie Ellersley.

VII

Accompanies Joanna on the errand and participates in the home dance session.

VIII

Sylvia is a member of Maggie's eighth-grade class and befriends her, showing her around the school and inviting her to join the Sunday School campaign. She represents the prosperous, respectable world Maggie longs to enter.

IX

Sylvia naively accepts Maggie's admiration, shares her clothes and home, and shows a delicate sensitivity to Maggie's feelings.

Chapter XI

Mentioned as having met Henderson Neal and reported to Philip about Maggie's association with him.

XII

Mentioned by Peter as an example of romantic affection, as she runs to meet her fiancé Brian and puts her arms around his neck.

XIII

Sylvia is engaged to Brian Spencer and is planning an Easter wedding. She is popular and has many friends, contrasting with Joanna's more solitary nature.

XV

Mentioned as the designer of Joanna's stage gowns, contributing to Joanna's artistic success.

XVIII

Observes Joanna's distress; forwards Peter's letter to Joanna; communicates Peter's marriage plans.

XIX

Mentioned as someone who would take things less hard than Joanna; Peter eventually writes to her.

Chapter XX

Meets Joanna at the train in New York, brings her home, and helps her to bed; keeps the matter from their parents.

XXI

Comforts Joanna and shares her secret with Brian Spencer; surprised by the depth of Joanna's feelings for Peter.

XXVII

Briefly appears, informing Joanna of Miss Sharples' visit.

XXVIII

Suggests using a mask for Joanna to play 'America' in the show.

XXXII

Mentioned in Philip's recollection of conversations about Maggie's early experiences.

XXXIV

Mentioned as having children who visit Joanna; her son Roger lets Peter into the house.

XXXV

Grieves Philip, has wistful talks with Joanna and Sandy, and her interest in her children intensifies.

XXXVI

Joanna's sister; Joanna confesses to her the deep joy she finds in ordinary life.