Line #27 Characters/HettyFeather


1	'''''All spoilers are unmarked/page is still under construction'''''
2
3	[[foldercontrol]]
4
5	!The Main Cast (In order of appearance)
6
7	[[folder:Hetty]]
8
9
10	!!Hetty Feather
11
12	->'''Debut''': ''Hetty Feather''
13	[[quoteright:90:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/165232_ml_1384567.jpg]]
14	[[caption-width-right:90: ]]
15
16
17	Hetty Feather/Sapphire Battersea/Emerald Star is the protagonist of the Hetty Feather series and the narrator. The series begins when Hetty is a child, and ends when she is in her late teens.
18
19	Hetty is fiery and has an extremely short fuse, struggling with discipline and authority. She cares deeply for those she loves and tries her best to be kind, but is often narcissistic and self-centered. She unintentionally hurts those around her, particularly her foster brother Jem as we see later on in the series. Although the love is mostly unrequited, there is some evidence to show that Hetty may have returned his feelings, particularly her strong reaction to Jem's marriage and discomfort at seeing Jem and Janet's life together in a vision.
20	----
21	* AesopAmnesia: A few examples:
22	** Seems to constantly have to re-learn that it's not worth pursuing fame and fortune in place of happiness and peace. Hetty even lampshades this.
23	** In addition, Hetty keeps making the same constant mistake of letting her nostalgia and idolisation of people/certain places cloud her rationality and judgement.
24	* CareerVersusMan: The main dilemma Hetty faces throughout the books. She leaves Jem for the circus and can't reconcile her feelings for either him or Bertie.
25	* CommitmentIssues: In both her personal and professional life. She cannot hold a steady career as she's constantly jumping from job to job and quite literally running away from her problems. [[spoiler: When Jem confronts her with his feelings, she runs away to the Circus.]] Hetty even [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this when talking with Gideon at Jem's wedding reception:
26	---> '''Hetty:''' Perhaps one day you would like to marry too.\
27	'''Gideon:''' I don't think so! What about you, Hetty?\
28	'''Hetty:''' Oh, I don't know. Maybe foundling children [[FreudianExcuse are so starved of love]] they don't really know how to want to marry.
29	* {{Expy}}: An obvious homage to [[Literature/AnneOfGreenGables Anne Shirley]].
30	* FieryRedhead: Her temper often gets her into trouble, especially in ''Hetty Feather'' where she gets locked in the Punishment Room for throwing a ruler at her teacher.
31	* GreenEyedEpiphany:
32	** Sort-of with Jem, [[RunningAwayToCry when she realises he's engaged.]]
33	** With Bertie, when she sees him laughing with Ivy backstage in ''Little Stars''.
34	* JackOfAllTrades: Hetty has worked a HUGE variety of jobs, including a SculleryMaid, Showgirl, Farmer's market saleswoman, Circus Ringmaster, Music Hall artiste, Seamstress and Actress.
35	* ParentalSubstitute: To Diamond, taking on the role of caregiver and big sister, which is often portrayed as frustrating for Hetty who's still only a teenager herself.
36	* PluckyGirl: Extremely brave. Hetty always manages to approach even the hardest of situations with a smile, which is especially what makes her so endearing to someone like Jem or Gideon.
37	* RedHeadInGreen: Hetty makes her first formal dress out of green velvet, which can be seen on the cover of ''Sapphire Battersea''.
38	* TheRunaway: How Hetty copes with her problems - she literally runs away.
39	* SmallTownBoredom: What Hetty loathes about returning to her childhood home; there's ''nothing'' to do. This is even the main reason for running away to the Circus, and also partly to spell out to Jem that they aren't compatible.
40
41	[[/folder]]
42
43
44	[[folder:Jem]]
45
46	!!Jem Cotton
47
48	->'''Debut''': ''Hetty Feather''
49
50	[[quoteright:90:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fullsizeoutput_b33.jpeg]]
51	[[caption-width-right:90:]]
52
53
54	Jem Cotton is Hetty's older foster brother, introduced in the title book. Sweet and caring, he is endlessly patient to those he loves, particularly Hetty, making sure to write to her consistently when she is in service and in the Hospital. Son of Peg and John Cotton, his profession is farming, taking over his duties on the village farm when his father died in ''Emerald Star''.
55	-----
56	* BettyAndVeronica: The Betty to Bertie's Veronica, to Hetty as Archie.
57	* BigBrotherMentor: To pretty much all of his foster siblings.
58	* CountryMouse: Has only left the village twice - once to collect Hetty from The Hospital, another to see Hetty perform with the Circus in the next village over.
59	* DoggedNiceGuy: Nothing Jem can do can subdue Hetty nor make her love him. Hetty eventually devolves into Jem's very-own LoveMartyr.
60	* {{Expy}}: An homage to [[Literature/AnneOfGreenGables Gilbert Blythe]], though is a certainly less intelligent version.
61	* ExtremeDoormat: Can't tell the woman that he's supposed to marry he doesn't love her because he's scared at what his ''village might think''....[[spoiler: He marries Janet anyway, out of ''embarrassment''.]]
62	* LovingAShadow: By the latter half of ''Emerald Star'', it becomes apparent that Hetty and Jem aren't compatible romantically, with Jem still idolising Hetty and hanging onto a 10 year old ChildhoodMarriagePromise, ignoring the fact that Hetty has changed significantly. This is made especially painful when Hetty actually becomes self-aware of her ''own'' previous idolisation of Jem when cracks start to show in her own feelings for him, which results in a painful BrokenPedestal moment for her.
63	* MrFanservice: InUniverse example. To all the girls in the village, as he's literally TallDarkAndHandsome.
64	* PatientChildhoodLoveInterest
65	* ObliviousToLove: To Janet's affections, anyway.
66	* OldFlameFizzle: To Hetty. [[spoiler: She eventually realises she idolised Jem to the point of [[LovingAShadow not really knowing who the grown-up Jem was]]]], as opposed to the 10 year old she last knew.
67	* UptightLovesWild: The straight-laced, ''slightly'' boring Jem loves the [[ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou crazy, untameable Hetty]].
68	[[/folder]]
69
70	[[folder:Ida]]
71
72	!!Ida Battersea/Evie Edenshaw
73
74	->'''Debut''': ''Hetty Feather''
75	[[quoteright:90:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fig1_8.jpg]]
76	[[caption-width-right:90: ]]
77
78
79	Ida Battersea/Evie Edenshaw is the mother of the protagonist Hetty Feather. Ida conceived Hetty out of wedlock and was on her own, with no choice but to give up Hetty into the Foundling Hospital. Ida watched Hetty grow up from afar, posing as a cook in the Hospital to help raise her daughter without her knowledge.[[spoiler: She eventually dies in ''Sapphire Battersea'' of Tuberculosis and Pneumonia,]] and it is revealed in ''Emerald Star'' that her real name is Evie Edenshaw.
80	----
81	* DemotedToExtra: Appears as Hetty's spiritual advisor occasionally [[spoiler: after she dies in ''Sapphire Battersea'']], and has less of a role in Hetty's life as she gets older.
82	* IncurableCoughOfDeath
83	* MissingMom: Hetty's main plight in the first novel. [[spoiler: They find each other by the end.]]
84	* SpiritAdvisor: What she becomes to Hetty after her death.
85	* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth: Dies of Consumption.
86	* VictorianNovelDisease
87
88	[[/folder]]
89
90	[[folder:Madame Adeline]]
91
92	!!Madame Adeline
93	->'''Debut''': ''Hetty Feather''
94	Hetty's mentor and ParentalSubstitute for a long time in the latter books. An ex-circus star, hardened by injury and age, Madame Adeline probably made the largest impact on Hetty's life and was the catalyst for her thirst for fame and glory.
95	----
96	* AscendedExtra: Became far more important to the story in the latter half of ''Emerald Star'', and was elevated to a main character in ''Diamond'' and ''Little Stars''.
97	* CoolOldLady: Still performing well into her [[VagueAge age]], and past her 'prime' as well. She's eventually replaced by a younger horse act the end of ''Diamond'' however, which prompts Hetty and Diamond to run away.
98	* OlderThanTheyLook: When Madame Adeline takes off her red wig and makeup she looks ''far'' older.
99	* ParentalSubstitute: To both Hetty and Diamond.
100
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder:Bertie]]
104
105	!!Albert Briggs
106	->'''Debut''': ''Sapphire Battersea''
107
108	A former Butcher's boy turned Music Hall artiste, Hetty and Bertie first met in ''Sapphire Battersea'' whilst Hetty worked as a scullery maid. They become romantically involved after reuniting in ''Little Stars''.
109	-----
110	* AscendedExtra: PutOnABus after ''Sapphire Battersea'', returns in ''Little Stars''.
111	* BettyAndVeronica: The Veronica to Jem's Betty to Hetty as Archie.
112	* TheCharmer
113	* ChivalrousPervert: Has a wandering eye but genuinely cares about the girls he likes.
114	* GreenEyedMonster: At times, especially whenever Jem is mentioned.
115	* LadykillerInLove: Gets around a lot and has made a name for himself with the ladies, but wants to settle down with Hetty.
116	* OldFlame: To Hetty.
117
118	[[/folder]]
119
120	[[folder:Diamond]]
121
122	!!Diamond/Ellen-Jane Potts
123	->'''Debut''': ''Emerald Star''
124
125	A performer sold to the circus by her own father. Small and sweet, Diamond has a timid and loving nature and befriends Hetty at the end of ''Emerald Star''.
126	-----
127	* TheBabyOfTheBunch: Diamond is only 7 or 8 at the time of ''Little Stars''.
128	* BreakTheCutie: Subverted, as although she is beaten often severely Beppo, she still [[ThePollyanna never loses her sunny disposition.]]
129	* TheCutie: Although has occasional BrattyHalfPint moments such as her tantrums, especially in ''Little Stars''.
130	* DarkAndTroubledPast: Comes from a broken home, poverty and serious parental neglect, only to be exploited and sold into the Circus.
131	* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: Has fine golden hair and is a harmless child.
132	* StageNames: Her real name is Ellen-Jane Potts.
133	* TagalongKid
134
135	[[/folder]]
136
137
138	!Supporting Cast:
139	!!''Hetty Feather''
140
141	[[folder:Nurse Winnie]]
142	!!Nurse Winnie
143	The nicest nurse at The Hospital.
144	----------
145
146	* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold
147	* ParentalSubstitute
148
149
150	[[/folder]]
151
152	[[folder:Mrs Smith]]
153
154	!!Mrs Smith
155	An author who writes stories about destitute children on the streets of VictorianLondon. She first meets Hetty when she runs away from the Hospital at age 10, and becomes one of her biggest supporters in regards to Hetty's dream of writing.
156	-------
157	* DemotedToExtra: We basically never see her again after ''Emerald Star'', in which she only played minor role.
158	* ParentalSubstitute: Helps Hetty tremendously in her writing and her conditions at the hospital.
159	* SmallRoleBigImpact: Despite making infrequent, small appearances, Mrs Smith starts Hetty's dream of writing, helps get her a job, and reveals Hetty's mother's name for her.
160
161	[[/folder]]
162
163	[[folder:Gideon Smeed]]
164	!!Gideon
165
166	Hetty's adoptive brother who grew up both in the same foster home and in the male wing of the Foundling Hospital, along with being one of her closest friends. Cripplingly shy and timid, he joins the army only to be discharged after attempting to [[spoiler: kill himself]].
167	---------
168	* DrivenToSuicide: Subverted. [[spoiler: He survives the attempt.]]
169	* EyeScream: [[spoiler: Shoots himself in the head, making it out alive without his left eye.]]
170	* InTouchWithHisFeminineSide: Gideon is often seen preferring traditionally 'feminine' activities, such as gardening, knitting, sewing, or acting as a caregiver to his foster mother later on in the series. This often causes Gideon to be laughed at or bullied, and is an example of InUniverse ValuesDissonance, considering the Victorian era had far more rigid gender roles than today.
171	* ShellShockedVeteran
172	* ShrinkingViolet: ''Very'' shy.
173	[[/folder]]
174
175
176	!!''Sapphire Battersea''
177
178	[[folder:Mrs Briskett/Sarah]]
179	!!Mrs Briskett/Sarah
180	Hetty's fellow maids.
181	----------
182
183	* DefrostingIceQueen: They warm up to Hetty's presence over time, even attempting to keep hetty's job after her fight with Buchanan.
184	* ParentalSubstitute: Both grow fond of Hetty.
185
186	[[/folder]]
187
188	[[folder:Mr Buchanan]]
189	!!Mr Buchanan
190	An author and Hetty's employer in ''Sapphire Battersea''.
191
192	-----------
193
194	* LackOfEmpathy: Fires a 14-year-old Hetty despite her potentially becoming destitute as a result, without any reference either.
195	[[/folder]]
196
197	!!''Emerald Star''
198
199	[[folder:Bobbie Waters]]
200	!!Bobbie Waters
201	-->'''Debut''':''Emerald Star''.
202	Hetty's biological father and implied previous philanderer. Is quick to take in Hetty to his home (arguably out of guilt for abandoning her mother) to the dismay of his wife and children, though tries his best to squash the feud between Hetty and his wife Katherine. A charming yet humble man, he works as a sailor in the North-East.
203	-----
204	* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Handsome and nice.
205	* DisappearedDad: For at least 15 years, though justified as he has no idea he had a child.
206	* HappilyMarried: To Katherine.
207	* LadyKillerInLove: Devilishly handsome and got around a lot once, but was in-love with Hetty's mum (or so he says) and his now-wife Katherine.
208	[[/folder]]
209
210	[[folder:Katherine]]
211	!!Katherine
212
213	Bobbie's wife and Hetty's stepmother.
214	-----
215
216	* AlphaBitch: See the YMMV.
217	* WickedStepmother: From Hetty's perspective, anyway.
218
219	[[/folder]]
220
221	[[folder:Janet]]
222	!!Janet Maple
223	-->'''Debut''':''Emerald Star''
224	Jem's childhood friend and Hetty's good friend and brief romantic rival. Sweet and good-natured, Janet is nice to everyone from the goodness of her own heart.
225	------
226	* BettyAndVeronica: The Betty to Hetty's Veronica, to Jem as Archie.
227	* CountryMouse: Born and raised in the same village all her life.
228	* GirlNextDoor: Sweet, wholesome and the perfect wife. Just not the wife that Jem wants.
229	* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: She is willing to sacrifice losing [[LoveInterest Jem]] to Hetty, as long as he's happy, and doesn't even ''hate'' Hetty for it.
230	* PatientChildhoodLoveInterest: Waited ''years'' for Jem (even turning into a joke in the village; the subject of [[LoveTriangle Janet/Jem/Hetty]] is ''particularly'' interesting amongst the village's GossipyHens as Hetty overhears some of it.)
231
232	[[/folder]]
233
234	!!''Diamond''
235	[[folder:Diamond's Father]]
236	!!Diamond's Father
237	An alcoholic and neglectful parent to his children.
238	------------
239
240
241	* AbusiveParents: Incredibly abusive. He ''sells his daughter''.
242	* NeverMyFault: He blames his daughter for his wife's death, even though he forced his daughter to perform for a crowd instead of going straight home with the medicine.
243
244	[[/folder]]
245
246	[[folder:Beppo]]
247	!!Beppo
248	Diamond's psychopathic master.
249	--------------
250
251	* AbusiveParents: Teaches his sons the way his father taught him; uses fear and manipulation to get what he wants out of his acts.
252	* BunnyEarsLawyer: Is borderline AxCrazy and uses not the most morally-just methods, but does mostly get results from his sons and Diamond.
253	* PsychopathicManchild: Acts incredibly child-like with his clown demeanour, which he then weaponises against Diamond and anyone who dares to cross him.
254
255	[[/folder]]
256
257
258	[[folder: Marvo, Julip and Tag]]
259	!!Marvo, Julip and Tag
260	Diamond's 'adoptive' siblings and once-rival act. Marvo and Julip are Beppo's biological sons, Tag a runaway.
261	----------
262
263	* ASharedSuffering: They all ''loathe'' Beppo and have plans to escape one day, in the meantime living in existential hell.
264	* DivingSave: Marvo catches Diamond during a fall.
265	* SiblingRivalry: Mostly on Tag's part; he initially resents Diamond and is incredibly cruel towards her, though grows to care for her towards the end.
266	* ThickerThanWater: Though not biological siblings, they grow to care for Diamond and one another in the end [[spoiler: and help Hetty and Diamond escape from the cirus.]]
267
268	[[/folder]]
269
270	[[folder:Mr Marvel]]
271	!!Mr Marvel
272	A Circus veteran and Diamond's confidant.
273	------------
274
275	* VagueAge: Lampshaded. Nobody's quite sure how old he is.
276	[[/folder]]
277
278	!!''Little Stars''
279
280	[[folder:Mrs Gibson]]
281	!!Mrs Gibson
282	A seamstress and Hetty's landlord.
283	-----
284
285	* ParentalSubstitute: To Hetty and Diamond.
286	[[/folder]]
287
288	[[folder:Mrs Ruby]]
289	!!Mrs Ruby
290	The incredibly perceptive and shrewd owner of The Cavalcade, Hetty's boss.
291	---------
292
293	* LackOfEmpathy: An absurd lack of empathy - firing a Hetty, a teenage girl, who had just been sexually assaulted instead of the perpetrator, Samson, who she ''sides with'' because she fancies him and wants to preserve her reputation.
294	* MeanBoss: Oh yes, she is mean.
295
296	[[/folder]]
297
298	[[folder:Samson]]
299	!!Samson
300	An incredibly untrustworthy womaniser, Mrs Ruby's 'nephew'. He announces the acts prior to performing.
301	--------
302
303	* DirtyOldMan: Though not incredibly old, he is definitely a ''creep'' and certainly older than most of the girls he leers at.
304	* HandsomeLech: Considered handsome, anyway.
305	* SerialRapist: Implied.
306
307	[[/folder]]
308
309	[[folder:Marina Royal]]
310	!!Marina Royal
311	An incredibly successful actress and Hetty's idol.
312	------------
313	* RedheadInGreen: Hetty first sees her wearing a green dress in Maudie's.
314	[[/folder]]

Context Characters / HettyFeather