Black Beauty Character Analysis

Black Beauty/The Narrator

Black Beauty is the equine narrator of the novel, which follows him from birth until he’s 13 or 14. He’s a black horse with a white star on his forehead and a small white sock… read analysis of Black Beauty/The Narrator

Ginger

Ginger is Black Beauty’s best equine friend. She’s a chestnut mare who’s sensitive and spirited, and when she was a filly and a young horse, this was interpreted as belligerence and punished. Because she… read analysis of Ginger

Merrylegs

Merrylegs is a fat gray pony owned by Miss Jessie and Miss Flora at Birtwick. He’s wise and old, at 12 years old, and has been at Birtwick for five years when Black Beauty arrives… read analysis of Merrylegs

Squire Gordon

Squire Gordon is Black Beauty’s second owner. He’s a wealthy country gentleman and local magistrate who lives at Birtwick Park with his wife, Mrs. Gordon, and his two daughters, Miss Jessie and Miss… read analysis of Squire Gordon

James Howard

James is the stable boy at Birtwick when Black Beauty arrives there. He’s a kind, smart, and generous young man who cares deeply for horses and for standing up for what’s right. Like John and… read analysis of James Howard

John Manly

John Manly is Squire Gordon’s coachman at Birtwick. He’s one of the most morally upstanding people Black Beauty has ever met, and he always gives his horses the best care possible. He doesn’t believe… read analysis of John Manly

Joe Green

Joe Green is 14 years old when John Manly hires him to take James’s place at Birtwick. Joe is small for his age, young, and inexperienced, but he’s desperate to learn—and even Merrylegs says… read analysis of Joe Green

The Earl of W/Lord W

Lord W is a friend of Squire Gordon who purchases Black Beauty and Ginger when the Gordons move to Europe. He’s far more interested in keeping up with current fashions than Squire Gordon is, so… read analysis of The Earl of W/Lord W

Reuben Smith

Reuben Smith is the groom put in charge of Earlshall’s stables when Lord W and his family leave with York for several months. He’s on his second stint of working for Lord W. The first… read analysis of Reuben Smith

Jerry Barker

Jerry is the kind cab driver who purchases Black Beauty from Mr. Barry. He lives with his wife Polly and his two children, Harry and Dolly, in London and keeps two horses at… read analysis of Jerry Barker

The Master/Farmer Grey

Farmer Grey is Black Beauty’s breeder and first owner. He’s a kind and generous man who treats his horses almost like they’re his own children. When Squire Gordon expresses interest in purchasing Black Beauty… read analysis of The Master/Farmer Grey

Mrs. Gordon

Mrs. Gordon is Squire Gordon’s wife. She’s a small woman and an exceptional rider, and she often chooses Black Beauty to ride—a great honor. However, she becomes seriously ill and eventually, her doctor insists… read analysis of Mrs. Gordon

Sir Oliver

Sir Oliver is Squire Gordon’s former hunter. He’s old and retired, though he sometimes carries Miss Jessie or Miss Flora. During his conversations with Black Beauty, Ginger, and Merrylegs, Sir… read analysis of Sir Oliver

Samson

Samson worked for his father, Mr. Ryder, and trained Ginger. He was a cruel man who took pride in the fact that no horse could throw him. He used sharp bits on Ginger… read analysis of Samson

The Old Ostler

The old ostler works at a hotel where the Gordons and James stop with Black Beauty and Ginger along a journey. He’s a quick groom, and he tells James about his experiences as a jockey… read analysis of The Old Ostler

Mr. York

York is the coachman at Earlshall in Lord W’s employ. He’s a good, sensible horseman who cares for his horses, but Black Beauty also sees him as a man who expects to be obeyed… read analysis of Mr. York

Max

Max is a young black horse that Lord W purchases to match Black Beauty after Ginger throws a fit in the harness. He’s always used the bearing rein, and he explains that horse doctors… read analysis of Max

Lady Anne

Lady Anne lives at Earlshall and begins riding Black Beauty regularly when Lord W and Mrs. W are away. She’s a small woman and an excellent rider; Black Beauty hopes to remain her mount forever… read analysis of Lady Anne

Blantyre

Blantyre is Lady Anne’s cousin. The two often ride together, and Blantyre enjoys riding a mare named Lizzie. He’s a good rider and understands that Lizzie is flighty and not appropriate for a… read analysis of Blantyre

Lizzie

Lizzie is a flighty bay mare at Earlshall. The gentlemen love riding her and say good things about her, but Ginger insists she’s nervous. One day, Lady Anne insists on riding Lizzie, and Lizzie spooks… read analysis of Lizzie

Lord George

Lord George takes a liking to Ginger after Lord W orders that Ginger not be used as a carriage horse. He begins to train her for foxhunting, despite York’s warnings—Lord George is a heavy… read analysis of Lord George

Peggy

Peggy is Rory’s replacement as Black Beauty’s partner when Black Beauty works as a job-horse. She’s a pretty mare, but she’s not as tall as her peers. This, she explains, means that she… read analysis of Peggy

Mr. Barry

Mr. Barry purchases Black Beauty on the advice of a friend, who rode and drove Black Beauty several times when Black Beauty was being used as a job-horse. Mr. Barry’s doctor has suggested he ride… read analysis of Mr. Barry

Alfred Smirk

Alfred is the second groom Mr. Barry hires to care for Black Beauty. He comes highly recommended and is a knowledgeable horseperson. He’s always kind and attentive to Black Beauty when Mr. Barry is… read analysis of Alfred Smirk

Polly Barker

Polly is Jerry’s wife and Harry and Dolly’s mother. Polly is as sweet and kind as her husband. She helps him care for the horses and prep the cab every morning, and she… read analysis of Polly Barker

Captain

Captain is Jerry’s other cab horse. As a young horse, he was trained to be ridden in the cavalry—he led regiments in Crimea. While he loved his owner and loved the training, he now… read analysis of Captain

Hotspur

Jerry purchases Hotspur as Captain’s replacement. He’s only five years old and was a gentleman’s horse previously. However, Hotspur is nervous and spirited—and he injured himself when he got scared and bolted, which frightened… read analysis of Hotspur

Governor Grant

Governor Grant is a respected older cab driver. For the most part, whatever he says, the other drivers agree with or accept as fact. However, he still thinks of Jerry as being a better man… read analysis of Governor Grant

Mr. and Mrs. Briggs

The Briggses are a wealthy couple who employ Jerry’s cab regularly—until Mr. Briggs tries unsuccessfully to convince Jerry to work Sundays so he can drive Mrs. Briggs to church. Jerry refuses, and the Briggses… read analysis of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs

The Gentleman

The gentleman is a kind older man and an animal lover who occasionally hires Jerry and Black Beauty’s cab. He’s unique in that he acknowledges and pats horses pulling cabs—most people ignore them. Black… read analysis of The Gentleman

Seedy Sam

Seedy Sam is a poor cab driver in London. One day, when he shows up at the stand with a horse that looks ready to drop, the Governor calls Sam out on mistreating the horse—and… read analysis of Seedy Sam

Jakes

Jakes is Black Beauty’s carter when Black Beauty is sold to a baker. Jakes has no choice but to follow his foreman’s orders and overload Black Beauty’s cart, but he insists on using the… read analysis of Jakes

Nicholas Skinner

Skinner owns one of the large cab companies in London that rents horses and cabs to drivers for a day rate. He employed Seedy Sam, and it’s implied that he owned Ginger. He’s… read analysis of Nicholas Skinner

Mr. Thoroughgood

Mr. Thoroughgood is a gentleman farmer who purchases Black Beauty at a horse fair. He and his grandson, Willie, regularly buy old and abused horses and “make them young again.” Since Black Beauty wasn’t… read analysis of Mr. Thoroughgood

Rob Roy

Rob Roy is a black horse ridden by George Gordon. He falls and is injured during a foxhunt when he and George aren’t able to keep their footing after a difficult jump into a… read analysis of Rob Roy

Filcher

Filcher is the first groom Mr. Barry hires to care for Black Beauty. He’s a knowledgeable horseperson, as he used to work as an ostler (a person who cares for horses at inns). But… read analysis of Filcher

Dolly Barker

Dolly is Polly and Jerry’s daughter. She’s eight when Jerry purchases Black Beauty. Black Beauty describes her as being like as her mother, only younger: she’s neat, kind, and generous like Polly is… read analysis of Dolly Barker

Miss Lavinia

Miss Lavinia is one of the three ladies who purchase Black Beauty from Mr. Thoroughgood. She’s tall, thin, and sickly, and she’s nervous about driving a horse who’s fallen before, as she fears a… read analysis of Miss Lavinia

Minor Characters

Duchess

Duchess is Black Beauty’s mother. She’s a kind horse who tells Black Beauty to always do his best in his work, as he’ll be treated better that way—though she also acknowledges that some people are cruel and foolish. Black Beauty later learns that Duchess is also Rob Roy’s mother.

George Gordon

George Gordon is Squire Gordon’s son. He dies when Black Beauty is two years old while jumping his horse, Rob Roy, over a foxhunting obstacle that’s too difficult for him. He breaks his neck, and Rob Roy is shot, as the horse also suffered injuries.

Justice

Justice is a roan cob owned by Squire Gordon. He’s a calm, sensible horse who tries to understand why people do what they do to horses—he explains why people use blinkers on horses, for instance.

Mrs. W

Mrs. W is Lord W’s wife. She’s an imperious lady who often takes Black Beauty and Ginger out in the carriage in the afternoons. She’s extremely fashionable—she wears expensive rustling silks—and she insists on the horses traveling with tight bearing reins at all times.

Willie

Willie is Mr. Thoroughgood’s grandson; he convinces his grandfather to purchase Black Beauty at a horse fair to “make him young again.” When they get Black Beauty home, Willie is put in charge of his care. Willie is kind and loves horses; he often brings Black Beauty treats.

Dick

Dick is a boy who works for Farmer Grey. Farmer Grey fires Dick when he catches him throwing stones at colts to make them run.

Miss Jessie

Miss Jessie is one of Squire Gordon’s daughters. She and her sister Miss Flora ride Merrylegs.

Miss Flora

Miss Flora is one of Squire Gordon’s daughters. She and her sister Miss Jessie ride Merrylegs.

Mr. Ryder

Mr. Ryder was Ginger’s first trainer. He was kind, but he put his cruel son, Samson, in charge of Ginger’s training—with horrific results.

The Vicar/Mr. Blomefield

The vicar purchases Merrylegs from Squire Gordon when the Gordons move to Europe.

Tom Green

Tom is Joe Green’s father. He occasionally helps his son out at Birtwick.

Rory

Rory is a fellow job-horse whom Black Beauty works with briefly. He’s a good-natured horse, but he’s sold as a coal horse after suffering a cart accident.

Harry Barker

Harry is Polly and Jerry’s son. He’s 14 when Jerry purchases Black Beauty. He’s a sensible, good-natured boy who helps care for the horses.

The Lady

The lady stops Jakes when she sees him whipping Black Beauty and tries to convince him not to use the bearing rein.

Miss Ellen

Miss Ellen is one of the three ladies who purchase Black Beauty from Mr. Thoroughgood. She’s the youngest lady and is the first to drive Black Beauty in the chaise. She’s a good driver.

Miss Blomefield

Miss Blomefield is one of the three ladies who purchase Black Beauty from Mr. Thoroughgood. Black Beauty describes her as “stately.”

Dinah

Dinah is one of Jerry and Polly’s neighbors. Jerry agrees to drive her into the country on a Sunday so she can visit her dying mother.

The Woman/Mrs. Fowler

Polly’s former employer, Mrs. Fowler, runs into Jerry once at the hospital. Later, after he gets sick, she employs him as her coachman.

Black Beauty Characters