Character Rundown
Mrs. Van Hopper
Mrs. Van Hopper is a pompous socialite who hired the anonymous heroine of the story to be her ‘companion’ for only 90 pounds a year. Mrs. Van Hopper is a few pounds over curvy and often sports her favorite lorgnette. She treats the heroine as more of a maid or personal assistant than a companion, so the heroine remains strictly second-class when in the presence of Mrs. Van Hopper. This over-the-top woman would be considered a social climber by many and tactful by few.
The Anonymous Heroine, the Second Mrs. De Winter
An air of mystery surrounds this girl throughout the story. Little information is given about her past, her name is never revealed, and her physical descriptions are limited to tidbits using words such as ‘lanky, dull,’ and ‘shabby’. Her self-confidence is set to zero until very late in the story, this could be due to her treatment from Mrs. Van Hopper. She begins the story as naive and fanciful, often creating elaborate portraits of the future in her head that stray from reality, but by the end of the story, she emerges as strong and possessing more wisdom.
Maxim De Winter
Maxim is much older than the heroine, and an introvert who rarely lets others have insight into his thoughts. He is a widow when he and the heroine first meet, but after a short relationship takes a major leap of commitment. Maxim keeps many major secrets from the heroine that cause major plot twist late in the story.
Mrs. Danvers
Mrs. Danvers, known as ‘Danny’ to the ones who knew her best, is a dark presence in the story. She was the maid of the former Mrs. De Winter, Rebecca, and adored her greatly, and after Rebecca’s passing, takes the position of Head Maid. She looks down upon the Second Mrs. De Winter, and on multiple occasions disturbs the heroine with her revisiting of Rebecca’s life.
Rebecca
The mysterious first wife of Maxim De Winter, often remembered as the most wonderful creature on earth- beautiful, witty, and intelligent. She decorated Manderley lavishly with her own unique style, and she threw parties that people came from around the globe to attend. Rebecca was adored by everyone and had not one flaw, or so say everyone who speaks to the Second Mrs. De Winter about her.
Jack Favell
Jack’s first appearance in the story was an accidental discovery by the Second Mrs. De Winter. Jack has a mildly sleazy personality, with always the tinge of alcohol on his breath. He is obviously familiar with the residents of Manderley, although unwanted by some, and his involvement in the plot thickens as the mystery surrounding Rebecca’s death unravels.
Beatrice
Marked by her bold personality, and tell-it-like-it-is attitude, Beatrice seems to approve of the heroine, and is one of the few characters to extend her hand in welcome to the newcomer of the family.
Frank
Maxim’s best friend and assistant for years has been with him through everything. He endured Rebecca’s death, but does not make the heroine uncomfortable with remarks regarding Rebecca’s grandeur. He also serves as the confident of the Second Mrs. De Winter when she is seemingly alone in her pursuits of happiness.
Mrs. Van Hopper is a pompous socialite who hired the anonymous heroine of the story to be her ‘companion’ for only 90 pounds a year. Mrs. Van Hopper is a few pounds over curvy and often sports her favorite lorgnette. She treats the heroine as more of a maid or personal assistant than a companion, so the heroine remains strictly second-class when in the presence of Mrs. Van Hopper. This over-the-top woman would be considered a social climber by many and tactful by few.
The Anonymous Heroine, the Second Mrs. De Winter
An air of mystery surrounds this girl throughout the story. Little information is given about her past, her name is never revealed, and her physical descriptions are limited to tidbits using words such as ‘lanky, dull,’ and ‘shabby’. Her self-confidence is set to zero until very late in the story, this could be due to her treatment from Mrs. Van Hopper. She begins the story as naive and fanciful, often creating elaborate portraits of the future in her head that stray from reality, but by the end of the story, she emerges as strong and possessing more wisdom.
Maxim De Winter
Maxim is much older than the heroine, and an introvert who rarely lets others have insight into his thoughts. He is a widow when he and the heroine first meet, but after a short relationship takes a major leap of commitment. Maxim keeps many major secrets from the heroine that cause major plot twist late in the story.
Mrs. Danvers
Mrs. Danvers, known as ‘Danny’ to the ones who knew her best, is a dark presence in the story. She was the maid of the former Mrs. De Winter, Rebecca, and adored her greatly, and after Rebecca’s passing, takes the position of Head Maid. She looks down upon the Second Mrs. De Winter, and on multiple occasions disturbs the heroine with her revisiting of Rebecca’s life.
Rebecca
The mysterious first wife of Maxim De Winter, often remembered as the most wonderful creature on earth- beautiful, witty, and intelligent. She decorated Manderley lavishly with her own unique style, and she threw parties that people came from around the globe to attend. Rebecca was adored by everyone and had not one flaw, or so say everyone who speaks to the Second Mrs. De Winter about her.
Jack Favell
Jack’s first appearance in the story was an accidental discovery by the Second Mrs. De Winter. Jack has a mildly sleazy personality, with always the tinge of alcohol on his breath. He is obviously familiar with the residents of Manderley, although unwanted by some, and his involvement in the plot thickens as the mystery surrounding Rebecca’s death unravels.
Beatrice
Marked by her bold personality, and tell-it-like-it-is attitude, Beatrice seems to approve of the heroine, and is one of the few characters to extend her hand in welcome to the newcomer of the family.
Frank
Maxim’s best friend and assistant for years has been with him through everything. He endured Rebecca’s death, but does not make the heroine uncomfortable with remarks regarding Rebecca’s grandeur. He also serves as the confident of the Second Mrs. De Winter when she is seemingly alone in her pursuits of happiness.
