Everell Fletcher Character Analysis in Hope Leslie

Everell is the son of William Fletcher and Martha Fletcher. He is 14 years old at the start of the novel. He and Magawisca became devoted friends as soon as Magawisca arrives at the Fletcher homestead. He tells her heroic stories from his Latin studies and teaches her to read English; Magawisca, in turn, teaches him traditional Pequot stories. His perspective on the Pequot War is challenged after Magawisca tells him the story of her people’s sufferings, showing his compassionate, open-minded nature. When Everell boldly defends his mother during Mononotto’s raid, the Pequot chief decides that Everell is a worthy sacrifice and takes him captive into the wilderness; however, Magawisca bravely halts his execution. After making his way home, Everell is sent to his uncle Stretton in England for a better education. During his years with Stretton, Everell’s Puritanism becomes more moderate, and he returns to America with more gaiety and more charming social graces than his family is used to. In accordance with his family’s wishes, Everell is informally engaged to Esther Downing, whose religious scruples he can’t respect, all the while loving Hope and fearing that she loves Sir Philip. In the end, he and Hope are reunited after they successfully rescue Magawisca from jail and after Esther returns to England.

Everell Fletcher Quotes in Hope Leslie

The Hope Leslie quotes below are all either spoken by Everell Fletcher or refer to Everell Fletcher. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Religious Conflict and Tolerance Theme Icon

The boy doth greatly affect the company of the Pequod girl, Magawisca. If, in his studies, he meets with any trait of heroism, (and with such, truly, her mind doth seem naturally to assimilate) he straightway calleth for her and rendereth it into English, in which she hath made such marvellous progress, that I am sometimes startled with the beautiful forms in which she clothes her simple thoughts. She, in her turn, doth take much delight in describing to him the customs of her people, and relating their traditionary tales, which are like pictures, captivating to a youthful imagination. He hath taught her to read, and reads to her Spenser's rhymes, and many other books of the like kind[.]

Related Characters: Mrs. Martha Fletcher (speaker), Everell Fletcher, Magawisca

Page Number and Citation: 32

Explanation and Analysis:

"You have never spoken to me of that night Magawisca."

“No—Everell, for our hands have taken hold of the chain of friendship, and I feared to break it by speaking of the wrongs your people laid on mine."

"You need not fear it; I can honour noble deeds though done by our enemies, and see that cruelty is cruelty, though inflicted by our friends."

"Then listen to me; and when the hour of vengeance comes, if it should come, remember it was provoked."

Related Characters: Magawisca (speaker), Everell Fletcher (speaker)

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 48

Explanation and Analysis:

Magawisca's reflecting mind suggested the most serious obstacle to the progress of the christian religion, in all ages and under all circumstances; the contrariety between its divine principles and the conduct of its professors; which, instead of always being a medium for the light that emanates from our holy law, is too often the darkest cloud that obstructs the passage of its rays to the hearts of heathen men. Everell had been carefully instructed in the principles of his religion, and he felt Magawisca's relation to be an awkward comment on them, and her inquiry natural[.]

Related Characters: Everell Fletcher, Magawisca

Page Number and Citation: 53

Explanation and Analysis:

This war, so fatal to the Pequods, had transpired the preceding year. It was an important event to the infant colonies, and its magnitude probably somewhat heightened to the imaginations of the English, by the terror this resolute tribe had inspired. All the circumstances attending it were still fresh in men's minds, and Everell had heard them detailed with the interest and particularity that belongs to recent adventures; but he had heard them in the language of the enemies and conquerors of the Pequods; and from Magawisca's lips they took a new form and hue; she seemed, to him, to embody nature's best gifts, and her feelings to be the inspiration of heaven.

Related Characters: Everell Fletcher, Magawisca

Page Number and Citation: 55

Explanation and Analysis:

His mother's counsels and instructions, to which he had often lent a wearied attention—the passages from the sacred book he had been compelled to commit to memory, when his truant thoughts were ranging forest and field, now returned upon him as if a celestial spirit breathed them into his soul. Stillness and peace stole over him. He was amazed at his own tranquillity. 'It may be,' he thought, 'that my mother and sisters are permitted to minister to me.'

Related Characters: Everell Fletcher (speaker), Mrs. Martha Fletcher

Related Symbols: Wilderness

Page Number and Citation: 91

Explanation and Analysis:

"Nay, brothers—the work is mine—he dies by my hand—for my first-born—life for life—he dies by a single stroke, for thus was my boy cut off. The blood of sachems is in his veins. He has the skin, but not the soul of that mixed race, whose gratitude is like that vanishing mist," and he pointed to the vapour that was melting from the mountain tops into the transparent ether; "and their promises are like this," and he snapped a dead branch from the pine beside which he stood, and broke it in fragments.

Related Characters: Mononotto (speaker), Samoset, Everell Fletcher

Page Number and Citation: 96

Explanation and Analysis:

The chief raised the deadly weapon, when Magawisca, springing from the precipitous side of the rock, screamed—"Forbear!" and interposed her arm. It was too late. The blow was levelled—force and direction given—the stroke aimed at Everell's neck, severed his defender's arm, and left him unharmed. The lopped quivering member dropped over the precipice. Mononotto staggered and fell senseless, and all the savages, uttering horrible yells, rushed toward the fatal spot.

Related Characters: Magawisca (speaker), Mononotto, Everell Fletcher

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 97

Explanation and Analysis:

Thus had Hope Leslie, by rashly following her first generous impulses, […] effected that, which the avowed tenderness of Miss Downing, the united instances of Mr. Fletcher and Governor Winthrop, and the whole colony and world beside, could never have achieved. Unconscious of the mistake by which she had put the happiness of all parties concerned in jeopardy, she was exulting in her victory over herself, and endeavouring to regain in solitude the tranquillity which she was surprised to find had utterly forsaken her; and to convince herself that the disorder of her spirits, which in spite of all her efforts, filled her eyes with tears, was owing to the agitating expectation of seeing her long-lost sister.

Related Characters: Esther Downing, Everell Fletcher, Hope Leslie (Alice)

Page Number and Citation: 225

Explanation and Analysis:

"It cannot be—it cannot be," replied Magawisca, the persuasions of those she loved, not, for a moment, overcoming her deep invincible sense of the wrongs her injured race had sustained. "My people have been spoiled—we cannot take as a gift that which is our own—the law of vengeance is written on our hearts—you say you have a written rule of forgiveness—it may be better—if ye would be guided by it—it is not for us—the Indian and the white man can no more mingle, and become one, than day and night."

Related Characters: Magawisca (speaker), Everell Fletcher, Hope Leslie (Alice)

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 349

Explanation and Analysis:

Everell Fletcher Character Timeline in Hope Leslie

The timeline below shows where the character Everell Fletcher appears in Hope Leslie. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the parlor with a letter and a look of concern. He sends his 14-year-old son, Everell, outside to await the arrival of an American Indian girl. To Martha, he says that... (full context)

Just then Magawisca arrives at the door, led by a smiling Everell. Magawisca is tall and graceful, with a thoughtful, sad expression. She wears a traditional outfit... (full context)

...Martha reports that Mrs. Grafton is a strange fit in the Puritan wilderness, and that Everell teases her about her allegiance to the prayer-book. Everell, meanwhile, is devoted to Magawisca; they... (full context)

...the fact that she is a “child of the forest.” She wonders whether Magawisca and Everell ought to be separated before they grow too attached to one another. Oneco, meanwhile, is... (full context)

...wishing to overstep her wifely bounds, she closes the letter by asking her husband if Everell might spend a few years in England to finish his education, since opportunities are limited... (full context)

Violence and Historical Memory Theme Icon

...represent approaching danger and death. She will say no more, either to Mrs. Fletcher or Everell. Mrs. Fletcher appoints Digby and some of the other household men to remain on guard... (full context)

That night, Digby and Everell sit on the porch of the house at Bethel, overlooking the forest. They see Magawisca... (full context)

Digby then begins telling Everell war stories, until Digby thinks he sees an American Indian man among the trees. Everell... (full context)

Everell encourages Magawisca to tell him about the attack, promising that her words will not threaten... (full context)

...hide in a ditch in a corner of their dwelling until the English had withdrawn. Everell’s eyes fill with tears as Magawisca speaks. (full context)

Magawisca tells Everell that the English have often claimed the superiority of their Bible and its teachings on... (full context)

All of this took place the preceding year. Everell already knew the story, but only from the English perspective. From Magawisca’s perspective, the details... (full context)

Everell expresses his sympathy and admiration to Magawisca, and she is grateful. With morning at hand,... (full context)

The household is in a joyful bustle. Everell gathers the family on the porch to watch for Mr. Fletcher’s and Hope Leslie’s approach,... (full context)

...courage but doesn’t stop. Just as the warrior is about to strike at Mrs. Fletcher, Everell fires his musket into the man’s arm. (full context)

The warrior briefly tussles with Everell, and Mononotto stops him from striking the boy down. Everell seizes the chance to blow... (full context)

Oneco, holding Faith, and Everell are taken into the forest. Magawisca, in despair, follows them. As they enter the forest,... (full context)

...with soot from her hiding place in the chimney. She doesn’t know what became of Everell, but when Digby sees the boy’s abandoned musket, he realizes that Everell and Faith have... (full context)

...when they are considering breaking the door down, Mr. Fletcher comes out and asks about Everell. He can only say, “God’s will be done!” before returning to solitude. (full context)

...her quiet. Magawisca begs her father, who has never before shed innocent blood, to send Everell home. But Mononotto replies that his own son, Samoset, was not spared. He saw Everell... (full context)

As the party halts by the Connecticut River for the night, Magawisca quietly urges Everell to observe their route and be prepared to escape at a moment’s notice. Magawisca sits... (full context)

...the end of the third day, they reach the valley of the Housatonic. Mononotto admires Everell’s fortitude during this long march. They emerge into a little village, and the sight of... (full context)

...entangled with an English boy. He talks with the village’s Mohawks about his plan, and Everell, resigned up until now, begins to dread his fate. (full context)

Mononotto consults with the local chief and separates Everell and Magawisca for the night. Everell tries to reassure her that even if he dies,... (full context)

...his liquor. She watches out the door of the hut as Mononotto, the Mohawk chief, Everell, and others ascend the nearby hill toward the sacrificial rock. She waits helplessly for the... (full context)

At the sacrifice rock, Everell waits with dignity and calm. While some of the onlookers might feel compassion for him,... (full context)

The sun shines on Everell’s head, giving him an angelic glow. This is taken as a sign of the sacrifice’s... (full context)

Seven years later, Hope Leslie, at Bethel, writes a letter to Everell, who is in England. It is the fifth anniversary of the day Everell left, and... (full context)

...are over, Hope writes, Digby praises the painting, saying it looks just like himself and Everell at the moment Digby discovered him. Both Master Cradock and Aunt Grafton take credit for... (full context)

In the letter, Hope tells Everell she wishes he were here—if only Mrs. Fletcher’s last request (that Everell be educated in... (full context)

Hope tells Everell about a dream she just had. She dreamed of Nelema promising her that she will... (full context)

Aunt Grafton adds a postscript to Hope’s letter, enclosing a medicinal recipe for Everell’s cold, even though both Hope and Everell have always mocked her for her reliance on... (full context)

As Hope hinted in her letter to Everell, she stole the prison key while visiting the Pynchons’ house, following her heart even while... (full context)

...young woman screams with delight at the sight of him and throws her arms around Everell Fletcher. Almost as quickly, she feels embarrassed about this public display of affection, and about... (full context)

...the Winthrops’ house. Hope notices that Esther sinks into a chair, looking pale, and that Everell looks anxiously at her. She can’t help speculating, but she and Esther withdraw to their... (full context)

...into an embarrassed silence. Hope wonders why Esther never told her that she already knows Everell—Esther’s blushes made it obvious. Startled by Esther’s evident distress, Hope abandons her teasing tone and... (full context)

Esther had never given a thought to romance in her life before. While Everell was living with his uncle Stretton, a moderate Anglican, he came to Esther’s father’s house... (full context)

...sentimental effusion.” She is awakened as to the nature of her true feelings, and since Everell does not seem to reciprocate them, she feels ashamed. (full context)

...she thought she was on her deathbed, Esther felt moved to confess her feelings to Everell, supposing this might encourage Everell, too, to give up youthful follies. (full context)

At first, Everell thought Esther was delirious. He promised her that he would try to live a moral... (full context)

Though Hope often spoke of her childhood companion, Everell, Esther never gave any indication that she knew him. Now that she knows the full... (full context)

...Sir Philip Gardiner will be a guest. Jennet thinks that Sir Philip looks “godly,” while Everell looks too “gay” and “heathen.” Jennet had been hired by Mr. Fletcher because of her... (full context)

...Narragansetts, attended by two counselors and an interpreter. As these men enter, Hope notices that Everell looks pale. Everell admits that he has not seen any American Indians for years, and... (full context)

Everell and Hope try to lighten the mood at the table by discussing how much conditions... (full context)

...notices how little she has eaten and how pale she looks. Intending to cheer her, Everell asks if he could have the honor of toasting Esther. At this, Hope, Mr. Fletcher,... (full context)

Everell claims drinking toasts is an innocent custom, but Governor Winthrop replies that “vanity” is never... (full context)

...Fletcher. Winthrop hands Fletcher a letter from his brother-in-law, Downing (Esther’s father). The letter praises Everell’s gifts and talents, though Everell is not quite as purely Puritan as could be wished.... (full context)

Governor Winthrop sympathizes with Fletcher but argues that Everell and Esther seem to have affection for one another, and that Hope would want them... (full context)

Every opportunity she gets, Hope tries to put Esther and Everell together. When they take walks, Hope lets Sir Philip Gardiner walk with her so that... (full context)

One Saturday evening, Mr. Fletcher finds Everell sitting in the Winthrops’ parlor. Everell is daydreaming about Hope’s eloquence—she had just been talking... (full context)

Mr. Fletcher tells Everell that Hope loves him like a brother, and that he should leave things that way.... (full context)

Everell offers Madam Winthrop his arm on the way to the lecture, so Mr. Fletcher walks... (full context)

Madam Winthrop instructs Everell to walk Esther home, and Sir Philip offers his arm to Hope. Hope is anxious... (full context)

...by Hope’s absence. The moonlit night gives way to a sudden spring thunderstorm. Just as Everell is panicking, Hope, pale and trembling, arrives home wrapped in Sir Philip’s cloak. Everell help... (full context)

...Master Cradock, and Mrs. Grafton linger in the parlor, each speaking up in Hope’s defense. Everell, however, is silent. He feels troubled by Hope’s apparent association with Sir Philip, as if... (full context)

...privacy. She doesn’t care what people think of her roaming about at night, except that Everell didn’t speak up in her defense—she is hurt by this. (full context)

After Hope’s conversation with Everell earlier that day, she saw an American Indian woman standing in the Winthrops’ hall, wanting... (full context)

...her wares. Neither woman recognizes Magawisca, however, and Hope manages to divert them both. Seeing Everell through a doorway, Magawisca gives a cry and leaves. (full context)

...revealing her presence to the Fletchers and their friends—they would be kind to her, and Everell might even love her. She tells Magawisca that Everell had rejoiced to learn that Magawisca... (full context)

Hope begs Magawisca, for Everell’s sake, to let Everell accompany her to their next meeting, but Magawisca says she cannot... (full context)

...at Bethel, Mononotto’s desire for revenge lingered. In fact, after the disastrous attempted sacrifice of Everell, Mononotto seems to have lost his reason for a while, but this only gave him... (full context)

...pilgrims!” Sir Philip thinks it would be a worthwhile feat to win Hope away from Everell and take her back to England, where she belongs. Having won Governor Winthrop’s and Mr.... (full context)

...that Hope Leslie almost blew his cover on this point). Sir Philip does not fear Everell’s success, expecting that he will submit to his guardians’ intention that he marry Esther. He... (full context)

...respectful toward Madam Winthrop. While Hope is distracted by the situation with Magawisca and Faith, Everell supposes that Hope must be in love with Sir Philip. Hope is indifferent to Sir... (full context)

...fears that she should keep the girl safely at home, to which Esther readily assents. Everell is disappointed to see that Hope isn’t concerned about Esther’s disappointment, and he offers to... (full context)

...debate about theology, but Hope is not much focused on the conversation until someone mentions Everell giving Esther a bunch of rosebuds that morning. Even though she has been striving to... (full context)

...the group arrives on the island, they go directly to Digby’s house, and Digby and Everell have a happy reunion. As he reminisces, Digby recalls what loving companions Everell and Hope... (full context)

...wedding is coming, but was wrong about the bride’s identity. She places Esther’s hand in Everell’s, kisses Esther’s cheek, and runs off. Digby, confused and embarrassed, leaves. Esther and Everell are... (full context)

...his knee and takes her hand. Hope freezes with surprise and displeasure. At that moment, Everell appears, blushes, and disappears. Hope tells Sir Philip that if he is a real gentleman,... (full context)

...with her late husband, to Sir Philip’s intense aggravation. When he sees Hope talking with Everell a little distance away, Sir Philip abruptly bows and disappears. (full context)

...time for them to board the boat for the return to town. Meanwhile, Hope tells Everell that she is determined to remain on the island that night. Everell takes the opportunity... (full context)

Weeping, Hope urges Everell to get on the boat. She can see no middle ground between accepting her circumstances... (full context)

...left on the island, indulges her grief in solitude. She had not realized she loved Everell, partly because Esther’s unrequited heartbreak had so little resembled her own feelings. Hope consoles herself... (full context)

...Magawisca, who feels betrayed and fearful for her father. Back at the Governor’s house, meanwhile, Everell and Esther are enduring an awkward evening together, and Mr. Fletcher is unhappily listening to... (full context)

At this point, the governor’s guard enters with Magawisca, to the surprise of all present. Everell is delighted to see Magawisca and appalled at her imprisonment. Displeased with Everell’s meddling, Governor... (full context)

...and a group of the Governor’s men appear, ready to go in search of Hope. Everell wraps Hope in his cloak, and they take her home. (full context)

...fever and seems to be near death. For three days, she remains unconscious, Esther and Everell faithfully watching over her. Finally, on the fourth day, Hope’s fever breaks, and she sleeps... (full context)

...knight into the cell, where Sir Philip finds Magawisca pacing. He says he’s surprised that Everell hasn’t rescued her yet, given how much she’s done for him. But instead he’s doting... (full context)

...Philip’s sudden screams in the next room, she hears Digby, on the ground below, imploring Everell to come down. Filled with joy, Magawisca sees Everell appear at her window—“he is true!”... (full context)

...after, Gorton and his men are exiled from Boston. Whatever suspicions the Governor has regarding Everell Fletcher’s involvement, he keeps them quiet. (full context)

...say for now. However, as they are getting ready for bed, Esther quietly admits that Everell has been trying to get her to help him break Magawisca out of prison. She... (full context)

Earlier that evening, while they were alone together, Everell had tried to enlist Esther’s help in his plan. After struggling internally, she admitted that... (full context)

...When Magawisca is led into the courtroom, she is accompanied by a benevolent-looking man whom Everell learns is John Eliot. Magawisca has a queenly, composed expression, and she wears her own... (full context)

Magawisca insists on standing when she’s led to the defendant’s seat. Everell finds himself pushing through the crowd in order to stand next to her. Eliot prays... (full context)

...against the English. Upon hearing this testimony, opinion shifts against Magawisca, though she remains impassive. Everell and Eliot whisper encouragement to her, and Magawisca denies that the English have authority to... (full context)

...Governor in supplication, her mutilated arm is revealed. She begs for death or liberty, and Everell and the crowd begin chanting for “liberty.” Even Governor Winthrop is moved to tears. (full context)

...fulfill his promise to Monoca to show Magawisca kindness, as far as he is able. Everell whispers that he, too, will help her, and Magawisca is comforted. She is led back... (full context)

...after the midday meal, Jennet enters the pantry through the kitchen and hears Hope and Everell talking in the parlor. Jennet eavesdrops on them. (full context)

When Sir Philip arrives at the Winthrops’, Everell leaves in disgust, and Hope greets him coldly. Only Jennet welcomes him, and she draws... (full context)

...then there’s a bustle in the house. Governor Winthrop paces and talks with Mr. Fletcher. Everell goes out, and Hope is helplessly distracted. Faith remains listless. That evening, a stranger knocks... (full context)

...shuts the prison door, Magawisca flings off her disguise and goes to meet the waiting Everell. (full context)

Jennet’s whispers to Sir Philip revealed, of course, Hope’s and Everell’s plan for Magawisca’s release. She overheard that Hope and Magawisca would be passing through a... (full context)

Not long after Hope and Magawisca have escaped the jail, Everell joins them. Magawisca expresses her gratitude to Everell, admitting that, when he didn’t rescue her... (full context)

Everell and Hope both beg Magawisca to remain friends with them now. Conflict between English and... (full context)

...receptive to the “brighter light of Christian revelation.” Hope gives Magawisca her cherished miniature of Everell, which she has always worn around her neck, and the three tearfully bid one another... (full context)

Everell and Hope watch as the canoe disappears into the distance. Then they begin walking silently,... (full context)

Meanwhile, at the jail, Barnaby Tuttle learns how he’s been tricked. When he takes Everell to Magawisca’s old cell, they find Cradock sound asleep. Tuttle cannot resent Hope for hoodwinking... (full context)

The next morning, Winthrop meets with the other magistrates, and they agree that though Everell and Hope acted very rashly, God appears to have brought about good through their actions.... (full context)

...where she is. After breakfast, Madam Winthrop finally gives Hope a letter, which she and Everell have been instructed to read together. It’s from Esther. The letter explains that Esther has... (full context)

...indulgent class of our readers, the misses in their teens,” to imagine what Hope’s and Everell’s wedding was like. Mr. Fletcher lived happily ever after with the two of them, as... (full context)

Esther Downing never marries, but she enjoys a lifelong, tender friendship with Everell and Hope, and many are made happier because of Esther’s kindness and generous piety. The... (full context)

Everell Fletcher Character Analysis

Everell Fletcher Quotes in Hope Leslie

Volume 1, Chapter 3 Quotes

Volume 1, Chapter 4 Quotes

Volume 1, Chapter 7 Quotes

Volume 2, Chapter 4 Quotes

Volume 2, Chapter 14 Quotes

Everell Fletcher Character Timeline in Hope Leslie