Deephaven: Analysis of Major Characters
"Deephaven: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and distinct personalities that populate the seaside town of Deephaven. The narrative is primarily driven by Helen Denis, who serves as the narrator, and her friend Kate Lancaster, who invites her to spend a summer in the house left to her mother by her great-aunt. This visit introduces Helen to a community rich with history and notable figures, including Dick Carew, a retired merchant and community leader, and his socially active wife. The local minister, Mr. Lorimer, along with his wife, adds to the town's character, alongside Mrs. Kew, a lighthouse keeper's wife who forms a close bond with the two girls.
Key figures also include Captain Lant and Captain Sands, both retired sailors who share stories that enrich the girls' understanding of Deephaven's maritime culture. Mrs. Bonny offers a more unconventional perspective, while Miss Chauncey represents the town's aristocratic remnants. Together, these characters create a tapestry of life in Deephaven, providing insights into the town's social dynamics and the personal growth of the narrators. This exploration of major characters invites readers to delve deeper into the themes of friendship, community, and the passage of time within the charming backdrop of Deephaven.
Deephaven: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Sarah Orne Jewett
First published: 1877
Genre: Novel
Locale: Deephaven, a small town on the coast of Maine
Plot: Regional
Time: Nineteenth century
Helen Denis, the narrator.
Kate Lancaster, the narrator's friend, who asks Helen to spend a summer at Deephaven with her in the house left to her mother by her great-aunt, Katherine Brandon. She and Helen are made welcome by those who have known the Lancaster family through several generations.
Dick Carew, a retired East India merchant, one of Deephaven's leading citizens.
Mrs. Carew, his wife, a social leader in Deephaven.
Mr. Lorimer, a minister in Deephaven.
Mrs. Lorimer, the minister's wife.
Mrs. Kew, wife of the keeper of a lighthouse near Deephaven. She becomes a great friend to Kate Lancaster and Helen Denis.
Captain Lant, a retired sailor who tells the girls about Peletiah Daw and Peletiah's wild nephew Ben.
Danny, a silent, weather-beaten sailor who tells the girls about his pet cat.
Captain Sands, another old seafarer who befriends Helen and Kate.
Mrs. Bonny, an unconventional woman who lives near Deephaven. She reminds the girls of a friendly Indian.
Miss Chauncey, an aristocratic old lady who lives, mildly insane, in an unfurnished old mansion.