Character guide

The Snake's Pass characters

Name: The Snake's Pass
Author: Stoker, Bram

Who's who in The Snake's Pass by Stoker, Bram: meet the 11 main characters, see how they connect, and open a detailed profile for each.

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11 illustrated profiles

Meet the cast

Arthur Severn

Also known as Art

The English narrator and central protagonist, a young, wealthy country gentleman who travels through western Ireland and becomes fascinated by Knockcalltecrore, its legends, and Norah Joyce. He is observant, romantic, honorable, and determined to protect and support Norah and her family.

As drawn: A man in young adulthood, with the neat, understated appearance of an English gentleman; dark hair, an average build, and practical late-Victorian country clothes.

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Norah Joyce

Also known as Miss Norah

Phelim Joyce's daughter, a well-educated and exceptionally beautiful young Irish woman who works hard to support her father and is deeply devoted to him. She falls in love with Arthur Severn but wishes to continue her education before becoming his wife.

As drawn: A young woman, tall and beautifully proportioned, with a long slender neck, rounded shoulders, and a delicate oval face. Her rich raven-black hair is coiled high at the back with a tortoiseshell comb; she has large black-blue eyes, luxuriant black eyebrows, long curling lashes, a somewhat sunburnt forehead, and very sunburnt, work-worn hands. She wears a grey homespun shawl, a printed-chintz jacket over a crimson homespun petticoat, grey homespun stockings, and thick wide-toed country shoes.

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Phelim Joyce

Also known as Mr. Joyce

Norah and Eugene Joyce's father, a proud, honest farmer whose land is taken from him by Murtagh Murdock after a disputed loan and sale. He loves his children deeply, is protective of Norah, and ultimately gives his consent to her marriage to Arthur.

As drawn: A middle-aged man with a pale, strained face and a sturdy country build. He wears a wet riding coat and carries one arm uselessly after it has been broken.

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Murtagh Murdock

Also known as Black Murdock, the Gombeen Man

A wealthy farmer and money-lender known locally as a gombeen man. He acquires Phelim Joyce's farm through oppressive financial dealings, searches obsessively for the supposed lost treasure of Knockcalltecrore, and threatens those who oppose him.

As drawn: A middle-aged man with a hard, dark-looking face and a heavy black jaw. He wears severe, practical late-Victorian country clothes.

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Richard Sutherland

Also known as Dick

Arthur Severn's old school friend, a young engineer and geologist employed by Murtagh Murdock to investigate the bog and search for buried iron. He is intelligent, scientifically minded, outspoken, and deeply in love with Norah Joyce.

As drawn: A man in early middle age, burly, hale, and stalwart, with keen eyes, an ample lofty white brow, and a flowing brown beard. He wears well-kept late-Victorian gentleman's country attire.

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Andrew Sullivan

Also known as Andy, Andy the driver

An Irish car-driver who transports Arthur and others through the countryside. Talkative, humorous, observant, and familiar with local people and legends, he repeatedly teases Arthur about Norah and the mysterious mountain.

As drawn: A middle-aged man of average build, with a weathered, sun-scorched face and untidy red hair. He wears patched, weather-bleached country clothes.

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Father Peter Ryan

Also known as Father Peter, Father Pether

A Catholic priest who encounters Arthur and the local people at Widow Kelligan's shebeen. He is practical, compassionate, and skeptical of the legends surrounding Knockcalltecrore, while strongly condemning Murdock's exploitation of his neighbors.

As drawn: A middle-aged man with a sturdy build and a cheerful-looking face. He wears simple black clerical clothing with a white collar.

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Bartholomew Moynahan

Also known as Bat Moynahan, old Moynahan

An elderly local storyteller who recounts a tradition about French soldiers carrying a treasure chest toward Knockcalltecrore. He claims the story came from his father, who supposedly witnessed the men and horses on the mountain.

As drawn: An elderly man, shrivelled and white-haired, crouched in posture, with wrinkled, shaky hands. He wears worn, plain country clothing.

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Widow Kelligan

Also known as Mrs. Kelligan, Mother Kelligan, Katty Kelligan

The hospitable proprietor of a shebeen at a crossroads, who shelters Arthur and the local travelers during a violent storm and provides food and punch.

As drawn: An elderly woman with a sturdy, work-worn build and a lined face. She wears plain, practical late-Victorian country dress with a dark shawl.

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Daniel Moriarty

Also known as Dan Moriarty, old Dan

A prosperous local farmer who owns the land at Knocknacar and is willing to permit Richard Sutherland's scientific investigation of its shifting bog. He is sympathetic to Phelim Joyce and unafraid to criticize Murdock.

As drawn: An elderly man with a warm, weathered face and an average country build. He wears plain, well-worn rural clothing.

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Eugene Joyce

Also known as Eugene

Phelim Joyce's son and Norah's brother. He is a capable young man whose education and extra work have led toward a career as an engineer in Glasgow.

As drawn: A young man with an average build, dark hair, and plain late-Victorian country clothes.

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A drawn page from the comic edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

A drawn page from the comic edition of Romeo and Juliet

A drawn page from the comic edition of Pride and Prejudice

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