Craig’s Wife

A domineering, meticulous wife who treats the home as a fortress of order. She imposes strict control over staff and husband, navigating social expectations to preserve her autonomy. Her manipulative attention to detail masks deeper insecurities about dependence and affection.

A husband who outwardly tolerates Harriet's dominance but longs for personal freedom. He perceives the limits imposed by her rules, and his sense of identity wavers under the weight of her supervision. His eventual clash with Harriet signals a breaking point in their relationship.

Harriet's social circle friend who appears as a carefree companion until his and his wife's deaths reveal a deadly secret. His presence represents a path not taken by Harriet—one of companionship outside her rigid control. His absence becomes a catalyst for the unraveling of the Craig domestic order.

A neighbor who embodies the social world Harriet both navigates and surveils. She serves as a mirror to Harriet's pretensions and the social pressures of maintaining appearances. Her interactions highlight the claustrophobic gossip and scrutiny that define the household's environment.

A figure representing the aunt/elderly presence within Harriet's social sphere. She offers critique of Harriet's domineering demeanor, underscoring the generational tension between traditional expectations and Harriet's modern assertiveness.

Harriet's niece who travels with her sister and becomes a focal point for Harriet's protective yet controlling tendencies. Ethel's presence highlights the impact of Harriet's behavior on younger family members and the fragile dynamics of care within the domestic sphere.

A young man whose engagement is cancelled due to his father’s arrival, illustrating the external pressures and interruptions that ripple through Harriet's social world. He later appears in the story, contributing to the evolving web of relationships surrounding the Craig household.