Robin Vote
Robin Vote is the primary protagonist of Nightwood. Robin’s background is almost entirely unknown, although Dr. Matthew O’Connor believes that she lost something important to her during World War I. Her gender identity is…
read analysis of Robin Vote
Dr. Matthew O’Connor
Matthew is a fake gynecologist who is friends with Nora Flood, Felix Volkbein, and Jenny Petherbridge. Matthew joined the army during World War I and drops hints that he witnessed some terrible…
read analysis of Dr. Matthew O’Connor
Nora Flood
Nora is Robin Vote’s second lover. Nora first meets Felix Volkbein (who later marries Robin; they don’t realize the connection at first) and Dr. Matthew O’Connor at a party in Paris and later develops…
read analysis of Nora Flood
Felix Volkbein
Felix is Robin Vote’s husband and Guido (junior)’s father. Felix uses a false title (baron) that his father, also named Guido, created to impress the aristocracy in Vienna. Nightwood is set in…
read analysis of Felix Volkbein
Jenny Petherbridge
Jenny is Robin Vote’s third lover. Jenny is a four-time widow living in a lavish house full of trinkets that she’s stolen from other people. Jenny steals things because she thinks they’re interesting and…
read analysis of Jenny Petherbridge
Get the entire Nightwood LitChart as a printable PDF.
Guido Volkbein (senior)
The elder Guido Volkbein is Felix Volkbein’s father and Hedvig’s husband. Guido’s personal history is something of a mystery. He is Jewish, but he tries to pass himself off as a Christian baron…
read analysis of Guido Volkbein (senior)
Hedvig Volkbein
Hedvig is Felix Volkbein’s mother and Guido’s wife. Hedvig appears more like a soldier in the military than a typical, dainty, feminine wife. Guido fell in love with Hedvig soon after meeting her…
read analysis of Hedvig Volkbein
Frau Mann / Duchess of Broadback
Frau Mann is one of Felix Volkbein’s friends from the circus. Frau Mann is a trapeze artist and goes by the false title Duchess of Broadback. Frau Mann brings Felix to a party where…
read analysis of Frau Mann / Duchess of Broadback
Guido Volkbein (junior)
The younger Guido Volkbein is Felix Volkbein and Robin Vote’s son. Guido is named after Felix’s father, Guido Volkbein (senior). Robin never wanted to be a mother, and after Guido is born, she…
read analysis of Guido Volkbein (junior)
Sylvia
Sylvia is Jenny Petherbridge’s young niece. Robin Vote takes an uncharacteristic interest in Sylvia as soon as she sees her. After moving in with Jenny, Robin frequently asks Sylvia if she loves her. Eventually…
read analysis of Sylvia
