Spring and Port Wine

The proud, hard-working head of the Crompton family. A weaving mill worker who guards the purse with frugal discipline, his childhood fears of debt shape his stern approach. Beneath the penny-pinching exterior lies a deep love for his family, which emerges as he learns to trust rather than control.

The family matriarch who keeps the budget and household running. Practical and resourceful, she often makes do with little and sometimes bends rules to cover urgent needs. Her actions reveal the pressures on women to manage finances and keep a family afloat, even when it strains loyalties.

Eldest daughter who helps maintain the home while navigating expectations around marriage and security. She supports the family and contemplates her future with Arthur, ultimately choosing to stay and help sustain the household. Her perspective balances personal happiness with family duty.

The younger daughter who becomes pregnant, adding pressure and complexity to the family finances. Her actions and pregnancy test the family’s solidarity, while she seeks a stable place within the household. Her choices reflect the intersection of personal circumstance and familial obligation.

The older son who experiences and contributes to the family’s shock at financial revelations. He serves as a foil to his father’s approach and participates in the tension surrounding the coat and money.

The younger son who buckles under pressure, fainting during the moment of truth. His reaction highlights the emotional strain on children in a family enduring financial scrutiny and moral conflict.

Mr Duckworth, the demanding neighbor whose presence amplifies the domestic stress and financial precariousness faced by the Cromptons. His behavior underscores the social pressures that accompany debt and reputation in a close community.

Mrs Duckworth, the neighbor whose remarks and actions catalyze conflict over money and propriety. Her interactions with Daisy expose the fragility of social bonds when money is tight.

Florence’s fiancé, representing a possible path out of financial struggle and a route toward stability. His presence signals hope for a future beyond the current household challenges.