Minor Characters
Brian Junior (Junior)
Brian Junior, often referred to as “Junior,” is one of Irene and Brian’s sons. Irene worries that Junior is picking up bad ideas about sex at school, but Brian is not concerned. According to Irene, Junior resembles herself in temperament, but looks more like Brian.
Theodore (Ted)
Ted is one of Irene and Brian’s sons. According to Irene, Ted’s temperament is similar to Brian’s. At one point, Ted asks his father why people hate black people, sparking a fight between Irene and Brian.
Liza
The housekeeper at Irene’s father’s house in Chicago. Liza answers the phones and helps around the house.
Zulena and Sadie
Zulena and Sadie are Irene’s servants/housekeepers at her home in New York City. They answer the door and phones and help Irene with cooking, party preparation, and cleaning.
Fred Martin
Fred Martin is Gertrude’s white husband and a butcher in Chicago. Larsen never introduces Fred Martin in person in the book, but Irene thinks of him when she sees Gertrude at Clare’s house.
Ralph Hazelton
Ralph is a friend in Irene’s social circle. During a conversation with Irene, Hugh points Ralph out as having especially dark skin. Irene describes Ralph as an excellent conversationalist.
Bianca Wentworth
Bianca Wentworth is Hugh Wentworth’s wife. She is a white woman. Bianca offers to take Clare home after the Negro Welfare League dance.
Dave Freeland
Dave Freeland is a novelist and Felise Freeland’s husband. It is at the Freelands’ apartment that Clare falls or is pushed out the window to her death in the book’s dramatic final scene.