The Rainbow Characters

Winifred Inger is one of Ursula’s teachers. Briefly, Ursula and Winifred become romantically involved, though they both know they can never be together. Still, Ursula feels that she learns much from Winifred about what is possible for her in the world. Eventually, Winifred marries Tom Brangwen Jr.

Mrs. Brangwen is the mother of Tom Brangwen, Effie Brangwen, and Alfred Brangwen Jr. She loves all of her children but is especially fond of Tom, who she hopes will develop into a man of the world.

Alfred Brangwen is the father of Tom Brangwen, Effie Brangwen, and Alfred Brangwen Jr. He is also the patriarch of Marsh Farm at the beginning of the novel. He dies while his children are still young.

Maggie teaches with Ursula Brangwen and the two of them become friends. Maggie is politically active and introduces Ursula to the suffragette movement. Maggie is also the sister of Anthony Schofield.

Effie Brangwen is the sister of Tom Brangwen and Alfred Brangwen Jr. She lives with Tom on Marsh Farm for a short time, but ultimately moves away and marries because she cannot stand Tom’s drinking.

Tom Brangwen Jr. is the son of Tom Brangwen and Lydia Brangwen. He is an intelligent and adventurous young man who studies engineering in London and later works for a collier. He eventually marries Winifred Inger.

Fred Brangwen is the son of Tom Brangwen and Lydia Brangwen. Largely, he shares his father’s disposition and takes over the farm after Tom dies.

Baron Skrebensky is a wealthy Polish man who is friends with Lydia. He is married to Millicent Maud Pearse and is the father of Anton Skrebensky.

Gudrun Brangwen is the daughter of Anna Brangwen and Will Brangwen. She is a free-spirited girl who grows up to be a talented artist.

Anthony Schofield is the brother of Maggie Schofield. He falls in love with Ursula Brangwen while she is staying at Belcote Hall and asks her to marry him. Although Ursula likes Anthony, she rejects his proposal.

Jennie is a young woman Will Brangwen meets while out at the theatre. Will attempts to seduce her, though his seduction more closely resembles an assault when she rejects him.

Mr. Harby is the principal at the school where Ursula teaches. Although he does not care for Ursula, he does pay her a compliment when she decides to leave for college.

Dorothy is a young woman Ursula meets while in college. Dorothy is heavily involved in politics, particularly regarding the rights of women.

Tilly is a servant who lives with Tom Brangwen and Lydia Brangwen on Marsh Farm.

Nut-Nat is a man Anna Brangwen meets at the cattle market who unsettles her.

Mrs. Forbes is a woman from Ilkeston with whom Alfred Brangwen Jr. has an affair.

Ethel is one of Ursula’s friends from school. Her sensibilities are far more conservative than Ursula’s.

Williams is a student at the school where Ursula teaches. Because he is disruptive, Ursula gives him a beating, which she later regrets.

Mrs. Alfred Brangwen is the wife of Alfred Brangwen Jr.

Millicent Maud Pearse is Baron Skrebensky’s young wife.

Theresa Brangwen is the daughter of Anna Brangwen and Will Brangwen.

Catherine Brangwen is the daughter of Anna Brangwen and Will Brangwen.

Miss Coates is Anna Brangwen’s schoolteacher.

Laura Brangwen is Fred Brangwen’s wife.