The Lady Maid’s Bell Character Analysis

Hartley

Hartley, a lady’s maid, is the narrator of “The Lady’s Maid’s Bell” and the story’s primary character. Hartley is a recent immigrant to the United States—her country of origin is left unclear, but it is… read analysis of Hartley

Mrs. Brympton

Mrs. Brympton is the mistress of Brympton Place and Hartley’s employer. Her chief characteristics are her poor health, which requires her to stay inside her gloomy house most of the year, and her pleasant… read analysis of Mrs. Brympton

Mr. Brympton

Mr. Brympton is the head of Brympton Place and Mrs. Brympton’s husband. He is loud, crude, and mean: Hartley describes him as “a big fair bull-necked man, with a red face and little bad-tempered… read analysis of Mr. Brympton

Emma Saxon (The Ghost)

Emma Saxon is Mrs. Brympton’s former lady’s maid, and it is her ghost that haunts Brympton Place. Described as a “thin woman with a white face,” she appears to Hartley on Hartley’s arrival at… read analysis of Emma Saxon (The Ghost)

Mr. Ranford

Mr. Ranford is the Brymptons’ neighbor and Mrs. Brympton’s primary friend from the outside world. Mr. Ranford, whom Hartley describes as “melancholy-looking” with a radiant smile, frequently visits Mrs. Brympton and reads to her… read analysis of Mr. Ranford

Mrs. Blinder

Mrs. Blinder is the Brymptons’ cook. She seems to know more about the haunting of the house than she lets on; every time Hartley brings up Emma Saxon or the room she used to live… read analysis of Mrs. Blinder

Mr. Wace

Mr. Wace is the Brymptons’ butler. Hartley describes him as “a serious, slow-spoken man” and a “great Bible-reader,” but he has an unusual trait for a butler: a strong dislike for his employer. He is… read analysis of Mr. Wace

Mrs. Railton

Mrs. Railton is Mrs. Brympton’s aunt and the person who convinces Hartley to take the job as Mrs. Brympton’s lady’s maid. Mrs. Brympton does her best to sell Hartley on the position—acknowledging that, while… read analysis of Mrs. Railton

Agnes

Agnes is a maid in the Brymptons’ employ and the person who gives Hartley her first tour of the house. She does not see the ghost of Emma Saxon when Hartley does and blames Mrs.… read analysis of Agnes