Previous
Quotes
Aurora Leigh
Aurora Leigh is the daughter of an Italian mother and an English father who gets orphaned at a young age and is taken to live with her aunt in England. At first, she is disappointed…
read analysis of Aurora Leigh
Romney Leigh
Romney is Aurora’s cousin and a favorite of her aunt. He is devoted to trying to make the world a better place, sometimes to the point where he becomes delusional or self-righteous. When…
read analysis of Romney Leigh
Marian Erle
Marian Erle is a lower-class young woman who runs away from her alcoholic father and abusive mother. While hospitalized, she meets Romney, who wants to marry her but does so from a place of…
read analysis of Marian Erle
Lady Waldemar
Lady Waldemar is a beautiful and rich but conniving woman who wants to marry Romney. She feigns having an interest in the same social causes as him, but behind his back, she convinces Marian…
read analysis of Lady Waldemar
Minor Characters
Aurora’s Father
Aurora’s father is a well-read Englishman who was reserved until one day when he was in Italy and met Aurora’s Florentine mother. He dies when Aurora is still a teenager, leaving behind his collection of books and his advice to “love, my child.”
Aurora’s Mother
Aurora’s mother is a Florentine woman who died when Aurora was still very young. Although Aurora didn’t know her mother for long, she still gets her passion and sense of Italian identity from her, which is why Aurora initially struggles to fit into the more sedate world of England.
Aurora’s Aunt
Aurora’s aunt is a cold, reserved Englishwoman who lives in Leigh Hall and rarely shows affection, except occasionally toward her favorite relative, Romney. She represents the opposite of Aurora’s freer and more affection-filled life in Italy.
Lord Howe
Lord Howe is a friend of Romney’s who has radical political views but who seems to live a conventional wealthy lifestyle. He becomes a means for Aurora to hear news of Romney during the time when she and Romney aren’t communicating.
Vincent Carrington
Vincent Carrington is a painter who is a friend of Romney’s. His painting work leads to him finding his wife, showing how personal love and art can intersect.
Sir Blaise
Sir Blaise is a man from the same social circle as Romney, Lady Waldemar, and Aurora. He is supposed to deliver an important message to Aurora in Italy but fails to find her.
