Anna Morgan, the protagonist of Voyage in the Dark, is a young woman who recently moved to England from the West Indies, where she was born and raised. Anna is white, but she has…
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Walter Jeffries
Walter Jeffries is a wealthy middle-aged man who takes an interest in Anna when he meets her walking on the street one day. He uses his wealth and influence to endear himself to her, especially…
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Hester
Hester is Anna’s stepmother. Originally from England, she married Anna’s father and moved in with him and Anna in the West Indies, but she never liked living there—most likely because she’s quite racist and…
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Maudie
Maudie is one of Anna’s friends in the traveling theater troupe. She’s 10 years older than Anna and knows what it’s like to live without much money, which is why she encourages Anna to…
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Laurie
Laurie is one of Anna’s friends in the traveling theater troupe. An older woman, she’s very experienced when it comes to dating wealthy older men. She likes Anna, but she’s also eager to use…
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Anna meets Ethel Matthews at a rundown boardinghouse shortly after Walter leaves her. An entrepreneurial and opportunistic person, Ethel immediately notices Anna’s expensive coat and makes a point of befriending her. She claims to be…
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Uncle Bo
Uncle Bo is Anna’s uncle who lives in the West Indies. He’s a heavy drinker who often finds himself at odds with his Anna’s stepmother, Hester, who disapproves of the life he leads…
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Francine
Francine is a young woman who frequently appears in Anna’s fond memories of her upbringing in the West Indies. Anna always felt very connected to Francine, who worked as a housekeeper for her family…
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Vincent
Vincent is Walter’s cousin. He claims to be very fond of Anna, though he tends to disparage and patronize her. When he hears that she’s a chorus girl, for example, he insists on…
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Germaine
Germaine is a French woman who’s romantically involved with Vincent. Anna and Walter go on a short vacation in the countryside with Germaine and Vincent, but the entire weekend is ruined because Germaine and…
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Carl Redman
Carl Redman is an attractive American man whom Anna meets through Laurie. Carl met Laurie while he and his friend Joe were traveling in Europe, and she told them to look her up if…
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Joe Adler
Joe Adler is an American man whom Anna meets through Laurie. He and his friend Carl are seemingly interested in paying Laurie and Anna to have sex with them, though Anna doesn’t pick up…
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Viv
Viv is a wealthy older man Maudie used to see quite frequently. He used to shower her in money and gifts, but he soon lost interest. Unfortunately for Maudie, though, she developed strong romantic feelings…
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Minor Characters
Mr. Jones
Mr. Jones is Walter’s friend. He’s present when Walter first meets Anna on the street, and though he technically pairs off with Maudie, he’s clearly uninterested in her. As Walter flirts with Anna, then, Mr. Jones behaves quite rudely to Maudie.
Mrs. Robinson
Mrs. Robinson is a French woman who gives Anna an abortion. The procedure doesn’t go very well, leaving Anna in excruciating pain later that night.