Mrs. Solent

Christie Malakite

Christie is a mysterious, almost supernatural figure who exerts a strange, obsessive influence over Mrs. Solent, blending fascination with dread.

Gerda Torp

Gerda, as Wolf's earthy lover, is in direct conflict with Mrs. Solent's possessive, controlling nature over her son.

Jason Otter

Jason Otter is a local eccentric and acquaintance whose interactions with Mrs. Solent are marked by gossip and village social dynamics.

Bob Weevil

Bob Weevil is a village character who engages with Mrs. Solent in the context of local affairs and minor conflicts.

John Urquhart

John Urquhart is a landowner and employer who interacts with Mrs. Solent regarding estate matters and local power structures.

Darnley Otter

Darnley Otter, brother of Jason, is a peripheral figure in Mrs. Solent's social circle, involved in village life.

Mattie Smith

Mattie Smith is a local woman whose interactions with Mrs. Solent are rooted in community and domestic matters.

Mr. Manley

Mr. Manley is likely a servant or tradesman who has a formal, transactional relationship with Mrs. Solent.

Roger Monk

Roger Monk is a figure from Mrs. Solent's past, representing a repressed, obsessive connection that haunts her present.

Mrs. Herbert

Mrs. Herbert is a confidante and neighbor who shares gossip and support with Mrs. Solent in their daily lives.

Miss Malakite

Miss Malakite, Christie's relative, is entangled with Mrs. Solent in a web of eerie, manipulative family secrets.

Wolf Solent

Mrs. Solent is Wolf's mother, and their relationship is intensely possessive, controlling, and emotionally suffocating.

Wolf Solent

The protagonist, traveling to Ramsgard for a new position.

Wolf Solent

Wolf's mother, mentioned in his thoughts and background.

The Face on the Waterloo Steps

Protagonist traveling to Ramsgard, reflecting on his past and his private 'mythology'.

The Face on the Waterloo Steps

Wolf's mother, mentioned in his memories of her reaction to his dismissal and his childhood.

Christ! I've Had a Happy Life!

Wolf grapples with his mother's portrayal of Selena Gault, his father's death, and his own secret inner life as he travels to Pond Cottage.

A Dorset Chronicle

Dines with Mr. Urquhart, feels a growing hostility and sense of moral opposition.

Gerda

Wolf awakens in his new room, reflects on his philosophy of 'fetish-worship,' and begins his work for Mr. Urquhart.

The Blackbird's Song

Wolf successfully completes the book purchase for Mr. Urquhart, visits Christie Malakite, encounters Mr. Valley, and spends a twilight interlude with Gerda Torp.

Bar Sinister

Wolf arranges lodging at Lenty Cottage, negotiates with Mr. Urquhart and Mrs. Otter, and learns about the pond's dark history.

Yellow Bracken

Visits T. E. Valley, experiences a mystical vision of a centaur, and meets Gerda and Lobbie by the river.

The Three Peewits

Wolf navigates a tense barroom confrontation, drinks brandy, and restrains himself from violence upon hearing insults about Gerda and his father.

The Horse-Fair

Attends the horse-fair with his mother, observes the crowd and the driving-contest, feels liberated then disgusted, and interacts with Mr. Urquhart and Jason Otter.

The Horse-Fair

Accompanies Wolf to the fair, greets Mr. Albert Smith cordially, and impresses Wolf with her haughty profile and social ease.

Christie

Wolf visits Christie alone, discusses Olwen, and feels a profound attraction to Christie while struggling with his loyalty to Gerda.

The Tea-Party

Observes the tea party with unease, later reflects on his conflicted feelings for Gerda and Christie.

The Tea-Party

Arrives unexpectedly, helps Gerda prepare, and later hints at Gerda's possible infidelity with Bob Weevil.

The Slowworm of Lenty

Struggles with jealousy over Bob Weevil and his divided affections between Gerda and Christie; experiences intense erotic union with Gerda; later listens to Jason's poem and refuses to return the jade idol.

Home for Bastards

Wolf learns of his father's death and financial ruin, and struggles with the responsibility of finding a home for Mattie and Olwen.

Home for Bastards

Mrs. Solent drives to Ramsgard with Wolf and later leaves a message about Mr. Smith's death.

Crooked Smoke

Wolf visits Mr. Urquhart, reflects on death and memory, and accompanies the Squire to Lenty Pond.

Rounded with a Sleep

Engages in a philosophical argument with his father's skull, feels jealousy of Poll's Camp for Gerda's attention, and fantasizes about Christie Malakite.

A Game of Bowls

Struggles with moral doubts about his work on Urquhart's book; attends the bowling match and finds temporary solace.

This Is Reality

Wolf is overwhelmed by jealousy and a sense of personal disintegration after suspecting Gerda's infidelity with Bob Weevil.

This Is Reality

Wolf's mother is mentioned in his thoughts as he recalls her conversation with Lord Carfax about free love.

The School-Treat

Observes the confrontation between his mother and Gerda with detached aesthetic interest; later umpires cricket and grapples with jealousy upon seeing Gerda with Bob Weevil.

The School-Treat

Proposes filling a molehill as 'sport,' provoking Gerda's anger; maintains a calm, condescending demeanor but is inwardly ruffled by the scene.

Wine

Resolves to return to Urquhart for money to help his mother and Gerda, struggles with guilt and jealousy.

Wine

Contemplates starting a teashop and borrowing money from Mr. Manley; Wolf finds her with Manley.

Mr. Malakite at Weymouth

Wolf struggles with his inner conflict between preserving his 'mythology' and his desire for Christie, ultimately restrained by the memory of a tramp's face.

Slate

Completes Urquhart's book, teaches at Grammar School, and decides to return the cheque.

The Quick or the Dead?

Wakes beside Gerda, suspects her infidelity, resolves to love her; later visits his father's grave and confronts Selena Gault.

The Quick or the Dead?

Referenced by Selena Gault as 'Ann Haggard' and accused of cruelty; Wolf sides with her.

Lenty Pond

Observes the grave-digging with cold impassiveness, later feels shame at his dependency and seeks Christie.

Forget

Wolf feels hollow and overwhelmed, dreams of breaking between two forces, and plans for the wedding day.

Ripeness Is All

Feels piqued and humiliated by Lord Carfax's indifference, reflects on the loss of his mythology, and longs for Christie.