Character Clues

Character Analysis

Actions

It's easiest to separate the good people from the bad in Splendors and Glooms based on their actions. Even though Parsefall acts like a bad kid and is mean to everyone, he's actually good because he steps in to save Lizzie Rose and Clara, even when it means risking his own life. And, although Clara's parents aren't so great at telling their daughter that they love her, when they rush all the way to Strachan's Ghyll to find her, it's clear that they do love and miss her, and that they're sorry for making so much of her young life about her siblings' deaths.

Direct Characterization

The book also gives us direct insight into what the characters are like and whether or not they're good people. Cassandra is described as selfish and lonely, while Grisini is described as manipulative and mean. Lizzie Rose is also described as a goodhearted soul. In fact, when she arrives at Strachan's Ghyll, Cassandra reads her palm and announces right away that Lizzie Rose has a good heart, a very good heart. She had expected a deceitful girl (based on what Grisini told her), but the palm tells the truth about Lizzie Rose's nature.