Another Country Character Analysis

Rufus Scott

Rufus Scott is an African American jazz musician living and performing in Harlem, New York. Rufus is Ida’s brother. At the start of the novel, he is at the lowest point in his life… read analysis of Rufus Scott

Vivaldo

Vivaldo is a white writer living in New York, trying to make a name for himself. He has been working on the same novel for a long time but cannot seem to get anywhere. He… read analysis of Vivaldo

Ida Scott

Ida Scott is Rufus Scott’s younger sister, who aspires to be a musician like her brother. Also like Rufus, Ida is filled with rage toward broader society, especially white people. Ida does not think… read analysis of Ida Scott

Leona

Leona is a white woman from the South who meets Rufus at a jazz club and begins dating him. Before coming to New York, Leona was married to a man in the South who abused… read analysis of Leona

Richard

Richard is Vivaldo’s friend and former teacher, as well as Cass’s husband. They have two sons, Paul and Michael. Toward the start of the novel, Richard publishes a detective novel, which… read analysis of Richard

Cass

Cass is married to Richard and is a close friend of Vivaldo. She also has a soft spot for Rufus and tries to encourage him and provide him with support, despite how he behaved… read analysis of Cass

Eric

Eric is a young gay man who moves to France after enduring an emotionally and physically abusive relationship with Rufus. Although, like Leona, Eric loved Rufus, he could not withstand the constant abuse… read analysis of Eric

Steve Ellis

Steve Ellis is a television producer who has an affair with Ida. Ida likes Ellis because he provides roles for Black women, which is uncommon for the time. However, Vivaldo is skeptical of Ellis… read analysis of Steve Ellis

Yves

Yves is a young man whom Eric falls in love with in France. Yves has a difficult relationship with his mother and has no one in his life he is close with except Eric. He… read analysis of Yves

Minor Characters

LeRoy

LeRoy is a gay Black man with whom Eric becomes infatuated while he is still living in the South. LeRoy warns Eric to stay away from him because of what might happen if anyone finds out about their shared sexuality.

Lorenzo

Lorenzo is a poet Vivaldo is friends with. He introduces Vivaldo to Belle and Harold, and the three of them spend a night drinking and smoking together.

Mrs. Scott

Mrs. Scott is Rufus and Ida’s mother. She is a kind woman who welcomes anyone into her home and wants the best for her children.

Jane

Jane is a woman whom Vivaldo casually dates. Their relationship ends because Jane has a drinking problem and Vivaldo grows tired of her.

Sydney Ingram

Sydney Ingram is a writer Vivaldo respects; they meet at one of Richard’s parties.

Harold

Harold is a gay man who Vivaldo meets one night while he is out drinking with Lorenzo.

Grace

Grace is a Black woman who worked for Eric’s family. She is married to Henry.

Henry

Henry is a Black man who worked for Eric’s family. He is married to Grace.

Vickie

Vickie is a Black woman in Rufus’s neighborhood who gets pregnant at a young age.

Paul

Paul is the older son of Cass and Richard.

Michael

Michael is the younger son of Cass and Richard.

Reverend Foster

Reverend Foster oversees Rufus’s funeral.

Dick

Dick is a man who Jane dates after breaking up with Vivaldo.

Belle

Belle is Lorenzo’s girlfriend.

Loring

Loring is Richard’s literary agent.

Another Country

James Baldwin

Another Country Characters