Absalom, Absalom! Characters

Thomas Sutpen is the main character of Absalom, Absalom!, though he only appears in the memories and stories of him that other characters tell. Through these characters, the reader learns the story of Sutpen’s… read analysis of Thomas Sutpen

Charles Bon is Thomas Sutpen’s son with his first wife, Eulalia Bon. Sutpen rejects Bon and his mother after discovering Eulalia’s Black ancestry, though he continues to support them financially. Charles later enrolls… read analysis of Charles Bon

Henry Sutpen is Thomas Sutpen’s son. He’s an impressionable young man who becomes close friends with Charles Bon (who, unbeknownst to Henry, is Sutpen’s illegitimate son) when the two meet while attending the University… read analysis of Henry Sutpen

Judith Sutpen is Thomas Sutpen and Ellen Coldfield’s daughter. She becomes engaged to Henry’s college friend Charles Bon (who is actually their half-brother, unbeknownst to Judith or Henry) after Henry brings Bon to Sutpen’s… read analysis of Judith Sutpen

Quentin Compson is one of the book’s main characters, though he hardly speaks any words of his own. His primary function is to listen to, absorb, and pass down the stories that Mr. Compson and… read analysis of Quentin Compson

Ellen Coldfield is Rosa Coldfield’s much-older sister. She comes from a respectful family, and Thomas Sutpen chooses her as his wife to secure his reputation in town and further his “design.” They… read analysis of Ellen Coldfield

Clytie (short for Clytemnestra) is Thomas Sutpen’s daughter by an enslaved Black woman. She is born into slavery on Sutpen’s plantation but later lives there as a servant. Sutpen appears to treat Clytie relatively… read analysis of Clytie

Mr. Compson is Quentin’s father and one of the book’s main narrative voices. His father, General Compson, was Thomas Sutpen’s only friend in Mississippi, and he passes down stories of his interactions… read analysis of Mr. Compson

Charles Etienne is the son of Charles Bon and his unnamed, mixed-race mistress. Bon abandoned Charles Etienne and his mother to confront Sutpen, but they journey from their home in New Orleans to… read analysis of Charles Etienne

Jim Bond is the son of Charles Etienne and Charles Etienne’s unnamed wife. The novel implies that he was born with intellectual disabilities. He is Thomas Sutpen’s grandson by birth, though Sutpen wouldn’t… read analysis of Jim Bond

Eulalia Bon is the first wife of Thomas Sutpen. Sutpen rejects her and their child, Charles Bon, after discovering that she has Black ancestry, though he provides for them financially. In Quentin and… read analysis of Eulalia Bon

Goodhue Coldfield is Rosa and Ellen’s father. He’s a respected storeowner in Jefferson. Enigmatic newcomer Thomas Sutpen persuades him to enter into dubious business dealings, but Coldfield eventually pulls out after his “conscience” prohibits… read analysis of Goodhue Coldfield

General Compson is Mr. Compson’s father and Quentin Compson’s grandfather. He was Sutpen’s only friend and loaned him the seed cotton he used to get started on his plantation. Because most of… read analysis of General Compson

Wash Jones is a squatter whom Sutpen allows to live in the shed at the abandoned fishing camp on Sutpen’s Hundred. He’s embittered about his low status, especially following the emancipation of enslaved Black people… read analysis of Wash Jones

Milly Jones is Wash Jones’s 15-year-old granddaughter. Thomas Sutpen initiates a sexual relationship with her with hopes of producing a male heir and continuing his dynasty. But when Wash Jones overhears Sutpen insult Milly after… read analysis of Milly Jones

Shreve McCannon is Quentin’s roommate at Harvard and one of the story’s narrative voices. Quentin relates to Shreve the stories that Rosa Coldfield and Mr. Compson have told to him about Thomas Sutpen… read analysis of Shreve McCannon

Rosa and Ellen Coldfield’s aunt is never named; characters mostly refer to her as “the aunt” or “the spinster aunt.” She raises Rosa after Rosa’s mother dies giving birth to her, instilling in Rosa… read analysis of The Spinster Aunt

Major de Spain is the deputy sheriff of Jefferson at the time when Wash Jones murders Sutpen. Following the discovery of Sutpen’s body, de Spain and some other men, including General Compson, assemble… read analysis of Major de Spain

The French architect lends an air of mystery to Thomas Sutpen’s past. Sutpen somehow forced the French architect to travel to Mississippi to design his mansion at Sutpen’s Hundred without pay. The architect later… read analysis of The French Architect

Charles Bon’s mistress in New Orleans is referred to as “the octoroon woman” or simply “the octoroon” (an outdated, derogatory term that refers to a person of one-eighth Black ancestry). They have a child… read analysis of Charles Bon’s Mistress

Charles Etienne’s wife is an unnamed Black woman with a dark complexion. It’s suggested that she comes from a “backwater” place and isn’t very intelligent. Charles Etienne flaunts her dark skin around Judith and… read analysis of Charles Etienne’s Wife