The Nightingale and the Rose Character Analysis

The Nightingale

Although she dies before the story's conclusion, the Nightingale is the protagonist of "The Nightingale and the Rose." A romantic by nature, she has spent much of her life singing about love, waiting for the… read analysis of The Nightingale

The Student

Initially a sympathetic character, the Student ultimately emerges as the antagonist of "The Nightingale and the Rose." By claiming to be deeply in love with the girl, the Student inspires the Nightingale to sacrifice… read analysis of The Student

The Rose-tree

There are three rose-trees in "The Nightingale and the Rose," but only the one standing outside the Student's window plays a major role in the story. This is the tree that tells the Nightingale he… read analysis of The Rose-tree

The girl

The girl appears only briefly in "The Nightingale and the Rose," but she is vital to the story’s plot and themes. The daughter of the Professor, she embodies unfeeling materialism. Having told the Student… read analysis of The girl

The Lizard

Like the Nightingale, the Lizard overhears the Student lamenting his unrequited love for the girl. The Lizard, however, is "a cynic," so he scoffs when he learns the Student is crying over a… read analysis of The Lizard

Minor Characters

The Oak-tree

The Oak-tree is both a friend of the Nightingale and the place where she makes her home. Like the Rose-tree, the Oak-tree understands the seriousness of the Nightingale's intended sacrifice, and he begs her to sing one last song for him before she goes to her death.

The Professor

Although he never appears in the story, the Professor is a symbolically important character. Like the Student, the Professor has clear ties to academia and intellectualism. Interestingly, however, he is also the father of the girl, suggesting a link between the Student's "rational" worldview and the girl's materialism.

The White Rose-tree

This is the first tree the Nightingale visits on her search for a red rose. He does not have one, so he sends her to his brother, the Yellow Rose-tree.

The Yellow Rose-tree

This is the second tree the Nightingale visits on her search for a red rose. He does not have one, so he sends her to his brother, the Red Rose-tree.