# Jane Addams — Twenty Years at Hull House character guide > Jane Addams in Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams. **Role:** major **Also known as:** James Addams, Addams, myself, I **First appearance:** 0004-i-earliest-impressions ## Snapshot A Quaker daughter haunted by childhood lies and her father's grave absolution, she founds Hull House and turns private conscience into public reform. ## Who they are Addams narrates her own becoming: a village childhood strung on her father's moral influence, a first sight of squalid poverty beside the mill, and a dread of death that drove her downstairs to confess. That same uneasy conscience, once aimed at a neighborhood instead of a bedside, becomes the engine of Hull House. Her early chapters matter because they show reform not as ideology but as temperament — a girl who could not sleep until the truth was shared. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Moran](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/mrs_moran) _friendship_ Mrs. Moran was a close friend and supporter of Jane Addams, often assisting with Hull House activities and providing emotional support. ### [Mr. Pullman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/mr_pullman) _rivalry_ Jane Addams criticized George Pullman's paternalistic company town and labor practices, leading to ideological conflict during the Pullman Strike. ### [Mayor Dunne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/mayor_dunne) _professional_ Mayor Dunne was a progressive Chicago mayor who worked with Addams on municipal reforms, including labor and housing issues. ### [Marcella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/marcella) _friendship_ Marcella was a young Italian immigrant girl whom Addams mentored and grew deeply attached to, representing the human connection at Hull House. ### [John Hobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/john_hobson) _social_ John Hobson was a British economist and social theorist whose ideas on imperialism and poverty influenced Addams' thinking. ### [Evelyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/evelyn) _friendship_ Evelyn was a close friend and possibly a romantic companion of Addams, sharing a deep emotional bond and living at Hull House. ### [Professor Blaisdell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/professor_blaisdell) _professional_ Professor Blaisdell was a colleague at Hull House who taught classes and supported Addams' educational initiatives. ### [Polly Keyser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/polly_keyser) _friendship_ Polly Keyser was a resident and close friend at Hull House, known for her artistic contributions and companionship. ### [Luther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/luther) _social_ Luther was likely a historical or literary figure referenced by Addams, possibly Martin Luther, representing religious reform and social change. ### [Mr. Maude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/mr_maude) _social_ Mr. Maude was a translator and friend of Tolstoy who facilitated Addams' meeting with Tolstoy, and they corresponded about social issues. ### [Judas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/judas) _psychological_ Jane Addams referenced Judas Iscariot as a symbol of betrayal and moral failure, often in the context of social hypocrisy. ### [Henry George](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/henry_george) _social_ Henry George was a political economist whose single-tax theory influenced Addams' views on poverty and land reform. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/dedication) The author, dedicating the book to her father. ### [Twenty Years at Hull House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/twenty-years-at-hull-house) Narrator and founder of Hull House, reflecting on her experiences and motivations. ### [Frontispiece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/frontispiece) Author of the book, identified in the frontispiece. ### [Earliest Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/i-earliest-impressions) Narrator reflecting on her childhood experiences, dreams, and moral development. ### [Influence of Lincoln](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/ii-influence-of-lincoln) Narrator; reflects on Lincoln's influence and her Oxford visit. ### [Boarding-School Ideals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/iii-boarding-school-ideals) Narrator and protagonist; reflects on her boarding-school years, early ideals, and the path toward Hull House. ### [The Snare of Preparation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/iv-the-snare-of-preparation) Narrator reflecting on her own struggles with education, illness, and the moral paralysis caused by cultural refinement. ### [First Days at Hull House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/v-first-days-at-hull-house) Narrator and co-founder of Hull House, actively searching for a neighborhood and engaging with residents. ### [Subjective Necessity for Social Settlements](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/vi-subjective-necessity-for-social-settlements) Author and narrator; reflects on her own motives and those of fellow settlement workers at the 1892 Plymouth summer school. ### [Some Early Undertakings at Hull House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/vii-some-early-undertakings-at-hull-house) Narrator and founder, reflecting on early Hull House undertakings and the challenges of adapting to neighborhood needs. ### [VII: Problems of Poverty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/vii-problems-of-poverty) Narrator and observer of poverty; describes Hull House's early experiences with the poor, including a German peasant woman, neglected children, and elderly women fearing the poorhouse. ### [A Decade of Economic Discussion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/ix-a-decade-of-economic-discussion) Narrator and founder of Hull House, reflecting on the decade of economic discussion and her own struggles with socialism and free speech. ### [Pioneer Labor Legislation in Illinois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/x-pioneer-labor-legislation-in-illinois) Narrator and central figure; describes Hull House's role in labor disputes and legislation. ### [XI: Immigrants and Their Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xi-immigrants-and-their-children) Narrator and founder of Hull House, reflecting on immigrant life and the Labor Museum's origins. ### [XII: Tolstoyism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xii-tolstoyism) Narrator; reflects on her charitable work, illness, and journey to meet Tolstoy. ### [Public Activities and Investigations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xiii-public-activities-and-investigations) Narrator and central figure; reflects on Hull House's public activities and her own involvement in peace movements. ### [XIV: Civic Cooperation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xiv-civic-cooperation) Narrator and founder of Hull House, leading political campaigns and advocating for civic reform. ### [The Value of Social Clubs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xv-the-value-of-social-clubs) Narrator and founder of Hull House, reflecting on the value and challenges of social clubs. ### [Arts at Hull House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xvi-arts-at-hull-house) Narrator and founder of Hull House, reflecting on the artistic programs and their impact on the community. ### [Echoes of the Russian Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xvii-echoes-of-the-russian-revolution) Narrator and resident of Hull House, reflecting on the settlement's involvement with Russian revolutionaries and the ensuing controversies. ### [Socialized Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/xviii-socialized-education) Author and narrator; reflects on the educational methods and philosophy of Hull House. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Featured in a photographic portrait and as a young child. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters/jane_addams - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_at_hull_house_se/characters