Meet the Cast
Elizabeth Bates
Elizabeth is no doubt the protagonist of this tale. However, the story maintains a kind of detachment from all of its characters, her included. As a result, the story kind of paints Elizabeth in br...
Walter Bates
He's a miner and husband to Elizabeth/father to Annie and John. We never really get to "meet" him as a character; in fact, the story is all about his absence. He shows up dead at the end of the sto...
Annie Bates
She is Elizabeth and Walter's daughter and John's sister. She gets very concerned about her father's absence, although her mother convinces her to go to bed/stay in bed regardless.
Mrs. Rigley
She is a neighbor of the Bateses. Her husband, Mr. Rigley, works (and drinks) with Mr. Bates.
Mr. Rigley
He is a neighbor of the Bateses. He goes to look for Walter as a favor. When he discovers that Walter has had an accident, he sends Walter's mom over to Elizabeth to sit with her.
Matthews
He is the pit manager at the mine. When Walter's body is carried home, he comes along to help direct them and give Elizabeth the few details he has about what happened.
The Doctor
No, not that doctor. This guy is the one helps carry Walter's body home. Presumably, he was the doctor who attended to Walter when he was found (although it was already too late).
The Mother in Law
In keeping with Lawrence's focus on family roles (as opposed to individual identity), Walter's mother doesn't get a name. She comes to sit with Elizabeth when news of her son's accident reaches her...