The Secret History Character Analysis

Richard Papen

Richard Papen is the narrator of The Secret History. Richard attends Hampden College after deciding that he cannot stomach his pre-med classes or the stifling presence of his parents in California, where he’s from… read analysis of Richard Papen

Henry Winter

Henry Winter is the leader of the Greek students, as well as Julian’s favorite student. Henry admires Julian, and the two of them are very close. At first, Henry is skeptical of Richard… read analysis of Henry Winter

Bunny (Edmund Corcoran)

Bunny is the first Greek student to show an interest in Richard and bring him into the group. Although Bunny has some reprehensible qualities, particularly his misogyny and homophobia, he largely endears himself to Richard… read analysis of Bunny (Edmund Corcoran)

Charles Macauley

Charles Macauley is the twin brother of Camilla Macauley, both of whom are Greek students. Of the Greek students, Charles and Camilla are Richard’s favorites, and he often spends time with them during… read analysis of Charles Macauley

Camilla Macauley

Camilla Macauley is the twin sister of Charles Macauley, as well as one of Julian’s students. Richard is infatuated with her beauty, although the two of them never end up in a relationship… read analysis of Camilla Macauley

Francis Abernathy

Francis Abernathy is one of Julian’s students and Richard’s friends. Francis is gay and, like Henry, comes from a wealthy background, though he does not like to talk about it much. During… read analysis of Francis Abernathy

Julian Morrow

Julian Morrow is the Greek professor at Hampden college. To take classes with Julian, one must ask him personally, and he is highly selective. In addition, Julian insists upon acting as his students’ advisor and… read analysis of Julian Morrow

Judy Poovey

Judy is one of the only non-Greek students with whom Richard spends a significant amount of time. Although Judy’s primary activities are gossiping and taking drugs, she is kind to Richard and does what she… read analysis of Judy Poovey

Minor Characters

Marion

Marion is Bunny’s girlfriend. She and the Greek students do not like one another, although they do not act antagonistically toward one another. Marion is the first one to raise concern after Bunny’s disappearance. After Bunny’s death, Marion marries one of Bunny’s brothers and has a child named Bunny.

Cloke Rayburn

Cloke Rayburn is Bunny’s friend from high school who also attends Hampden. Cloke is paranoid that the authorities will link Bunny’s disappearance to Cloke’s drug-dealing business. Indeed, the authorities do become skeptical and Cloke does get in legal trouble, though ultimately his actions are deemed unrelated to Bunny’s death.

Mr. Corcoran

Mr. Corcoran is Bunny’s father. A boisterous man, he spends much of his time after Bunny’s death keeping up appearances, but he occasionally breaks into sobbing fits.

Mrs. Corcoran

Mrs. Corcoran is Bunny’s mother. During Bunny’s funeral she seems more concerned with keeping up appearances than she is with the death of her son.

Sophie Dearbold

Sophie Dearbold is a girl Richard dates during his senior year at Hampden. After college, the two of them move to California, but their relationship does not last long because Sophie thinks Richard is too emotionally distant.

Georges Laforgue

Georges Laforgue is a French teacher at Hampden college, as well as Richard’s academic advisor when he first arrives. Georges warns Richard not to study Greek with Julian, but Richard ignores this advice.

Mr. Papen

Mr. Papen is Richard’s father, who runs a gas station. Richard rarely talks to him after leaving for Hampden.

Mrs. Papen

Mrs. Papen is Richard’s mother, who answers phones for a living. Richard rarely talks to her after leaving for Hampden.

Dr. Roland

Dr. Roland is a psychology professor whom Richard works for at Hampden. Though he is not unkind, Richard finds him to be pretentious and oblivious.

Mrs. Winter

Mrs. Winter is Henry’s mother. Little is revealed about her other than that she is very wealthy. At the end of the novel, she visits Richard in the hospital and thanks him for trying to save Henry. She also gifts Richard Henry’s car.

Mr. Winter

Mr. Winter is Henry’s father. Henry keeps quiet about what his father does, though it is clear that he is exorbitantly wealthy.

William Hundy

William Hundy is a Hampden local who makes a name for himself by claiming that he has information relating to Bunny’s disappearance. Eventually, it is revealed that Hundy is a racist whose only information is that he saw a few Middle Eastern men in a van.

Mrs. Abernathy

Mrs. Abernathy is Francis’s mother. She is wealthy and has spent some time in rehab.

Mona Beale

Mona Beale is a Hampden student with whom Richard sleeps after meeting her at a party.

Mona Beale’s boyfriend

Mona Beale’s boyfriend assaults Richard one night when he is walking home because Richard slept with Mona.

Holly Goldsmith

Holly Goldsmith finds Bunny’s body while out on a hike with her dog.