Herland Characters

Vandyck Jennings is the narrator and protagonist, called Van by all characters. Van is a sociologist who enjoys going on adventures with Jeff Margrave and Terry O. Nicholson so that he can study primitive societies… read analysis of Vandyck “Van” Jennings

Jeff is one of the three American explorers who discover Herland. Jeff is a doctor by trade, but Van describes him as having the heart of a poet: he is romantic, idealizes women, and is… read analysis of Jeff Margrave

Terry is one of the three American explorers who discover Herland. Terry is a wealthy and privileged womanizer who believes that he, Jeff, and Van will be “Hailed as deliverers” by the women of… read analysis of Terry O. Nicholson

Ellador is the young Herlandian woman who marries Van. Ellador is one of the few children of an Over Mother (a woman who is given special permission to have more than one child). Ellador… read analysis of Ellador

Alima is the Herlandian woman who marries Terry. Like Terry, Alima is strong and passionate. Unlike Terry, Alima’s passion does not take the form of lust and after their marriage, the two frequently argue… read analysis of Alima

Somel is Van’s tutor in Herland. Shortly after Van, Terry, and Jeff are taken to the fortress in Herland, Somel is assigned to teach Van how to read, write, and speak the Herlandian… read analysis of Somel

Moadine is Terry’s tutor in Herland. Moadine is assigned to teach Terry the Herlandian language and to learn English from him. They also discuss Herlandian culture and American culture, and Terry frequently asks her… read analysis of Moadine

Zava is Jeff’s tutor in Herland. Zava is assigned to teach Jeff about Herlandian language and culture, as well as to learn about the English language and American culture from Jeff. Zava and Jeff… read analysis of Zava

The Colonels are a group of middle-aged Herlandian women who enforce peace and keep an eye on Jeff, Terry, and Van. The Colonels always appear when there is trouble with the three… read analysis of The Colonels