Zuleika Dobson

Duke of Dorset

The Duke is hopelessly infatuated with Zuleika, who toys with his affections while remaining indifferent to his love.

The Warden

The Warden is Zuleika's grandfather, and he is both proud of her beauty and exasperated by the chaos she causes at Oxford.

Katie

Katie is jealous of Zuleika's hold over the Duke, but also fascinated and intimidated by her glamour.

Noaks

Noaks, a poor and awkward student, is hopelessly in love with Zuleika, who barely notices him.

Laura Frith

Laura Frith is a friend and companion to Zuleika, often accompanying her and sharing in her social triumphs.

Sir John Marraby

Sir John is an older gentleman who is amused and slightly alarmed by Zuleika's destructive effect on the young men of Oxford.

Duke of Dorset

The Duke is hopelessly infatuated with Zuleika, who toys with his affections while remaining indifferent to his love.

Duke of Dorset

The Duke is hopelessly infatuated with Zuleika, who toys with his affections while remaining indifferent to his love.

Laura Frith

Laura Frith is a friend and companion to Zuleika, often accompanying her and sharing in her social triumphs.

Katie

Katie is jealous of Zuleika's hold over the Duke, but also fascinated and intimidated by her glamour.

Noaks

Noaks, a poor and awkward student, is hopelessly in love with Zuleika, who barely notices him.

Sir John Marraby

Sir John is an older gentleman who is amused and slightly alarmed by Zuleika's destructive effect on the young men of Oxford.

Note to the 1922 Edition

The subject of the author's note on the correct pronunciation of her name.

Zuleika Dobson

The protagonist, a renowned beauty who comes to Oxford and becomes the object of intense admiration.

I

Arrives at Oxford station in a white travelling dress and diamond toque, immediately captivating the undergraduates. She is the Warden's granddaughter.

II

Reflects on her passionate nature and desire to love a youth who does not bow to her; recalls her global triumphs and looks forward to Oxford.

III

Falls in love with the Duke for the first time, thrilled that he does not bow to her; she studies him throughout dinner and is in a trance of happiness.

IV

Admits she loved the Duke but now feels he has debased himself like other suitors; she visits his lodgings.

V

Refuses the Duke's proposal, calls him a snob, and later insists she refuses only because she does not love him, revealing she has rejected other high-born suitors.

VI

Zuleika appears at her window, later descends in white, and is angered by the Duke's impulsive advance, though she agrees to accompany him to the races.

VII

Initially angry at the Duke for missing the race, she becomes intrigued by his talk of death and tries to dissuade him, though her eyes betray excitement.

Chapter IX

Arrives late in black satin, having changed her pink pearl earrings to black as a sign of mourning. She banters with the Duke and asks him to call her name at his death.

The Concert and the Aftermath

Performs her conjuring act, gives the Duke her earrings, and later invites him to lunch, but rebuffs his romantic advance.

XI

The subject of the narrator's historical mission; her arrival at Oxford triggers the events of the narrative.

XII

The narrator finds her behavior outrageous and leaves her presence.

XIII

Her image is worshipped by Noaks; the Duke's hatred of her intensifies as he recalls his love.

Chapter XIV

Writes a letter of apology to the Duke, claiming her actions were a tomboyish joke; her letter is delivered but initially left unopened.

XV

Indirectly present through the Duke's thoughts; he imagines her anxiety at his absence and later preaches against her in his sermon.

XVI

Zuleika arrives at the Duke's lodgings in a state of anguish, declaring her love and begging him to forget her letter. She faints after reading the telegram, but later recovers and uses her 'sense of proportion' to emotionally detach herself, leaving the Duke.

XVII

Mentioned in the Duke's thoughts; he recalls her accusations and his own feelings of having been harsh.

XIX

Whispers to the Duke on the roof, reminds him to call her name, and watches from the roof as he jumps.

XX

Referenced as the object of the Duke's and the undergraduates' fatal love, blamed by Katie.

XXI

Lies in her bath, reflecting on her past and the day's events; feels lonely and melancholy as she watches the dinner from the gallery.

Chapter XXII

Confronts Katie about the Duke, taunts Noaks, and later takes full toll of the undergraduates' deaths.

XXIII

Flees from Noaks, suffers remorse and self-pity, decides to become a nun, and confesses to the Warden that all undergraduates died for her.

XXIV

Packs to leave Oxford, gives away the Duke's pearls, and resolves to go to Cambridge.