Dolly, the protagonist of “‘And Women Must Weep,’” is an adolescent girl transitioning into womanhood in Australia around the turn of the 20th century. While staying with her Auntie Cha, she attends her first…
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Auntie Cha
Auntie Cha, Dolly’s aunt, is an older, gray-haired woman. While Dolly is staying with her, she buys tickets to a formal ball and brings Dolly with her to introduce Dolly to adult society. Constantly…
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Miss Biddons
Miss Biddons is an older woman and caretaker of Dolly alongside Auntie Cha. She doesn’t accompany Dolly and Auntie Cha to the ball but stays home instead. Still, Miss Biddons disciplines Dolly and tries…
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The Master of Ceremonies
The Master of Ceremonies is an older man with a stout stature and red beard. He is in charge of the ball and makes sure everyone has a dance partner. Auntie Cha asks for his…
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The Lady-Friend’s Son
Auntie Cha’s “lady-friend” has a son who dances with Dolly twice at the ball. He is reluctant to dance with Dolly because he wants to spend time with his fiancée instead, and he only…
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Dolly’s third dance partner of the evening is a gentleman who prefers to sit out of the dancing and watch the other attendees of the ball instead. He requires a lot of convincing by…
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The Young Boy
The young boy at the ball is Dolly’s last dance partner. While he dances with Dolly, he gapes openly at the belle of the ball, a different girl who has been deemed the prettiest…
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