The Handmaiden's Tale
Character Sketches
The Maan Household
Lord Balraaj Maan, Count of Elysium
Lady Teji Maan, Countess of Elysium
Lord Balraaj and Lady Teji have only one child, Heer, and have spared no expenses in spoiling her. They dote on her and would go to the ends of the earth for her. Like any parent, they too want her to get married, and don't understand her abhorrence to marriage. They have tried countless suitors, but none of them have stayed past a month, chased away by Heer.
Lady Heer Maan, future Countess of Elysium
The only child of Lord Balraaj and Lady Teji. Her parents dote on her, and have educated her well. Philosophy, art, music, science'these are just some of the things Heer's interests lie in. She is under the right impression that her suitors want a pretty young trophy wife instead of one as smart as her, and uses that to her full advantage. If she will get married, it shall be to someone who appreciates her brains'if she can ever find anyone.
Meher Gupta, lady-in-waiting to Lady Heer Maan
Generations of her family before her have served in the Maan household, and Meher is proud of her position as lady-in-waiting to Heer. She is content where she is: a member of the noble household without having to worry about Elysium, yet having more freedom than Heer. She too wishes Heer would just get married, because nothing would make her happier than seeing her best friend happy.
Tanuja Gupta, lady-in-waiting to Lady Teji Maan
Also the mother of Meher, Tanuja has served as Lady Teji's lady-in-waiting for as long as she can remember. She is Lady Teji's most trusted confidante, and shares all her fears and her aspirations, including finding a suitable husband for Heer.
The Juneja Household
Lord Lalit Juneja, Duke of Illyria
Lady Gayatri Juneja, Duchess of Illyria
The Duke and Duchess of Illyria have a rather minor role in the story. They are the parents of Prem Juneja, and they have been looking for a suitable wife for him. Their previous attempts at finding a wife have included holding balls, but these have been none too successful. Their search has led them to Elysium, where the daughter of Lord Balraaj and Lady Teji presents herself as a rather eligible potential daughter-in-law.
Lord Prem Juneja, future Duke of Illyria
Very much like his parents, Prem Juneja is also looking for a wife. However, none of the girls he has met in the many balls his parents have thrown for him have interested him: they are all bubble-headed women with very little interest in anything but banal gossip. He has heard much of Lady Heer Maan, and he is intrigued by her. He decides that he shall not leave Elysium unless it is with Heer.
Preet Singhania, valet to Lord Prem Juneja
Where Lord Prem is serious, Preet is his cheekier counterpart who feels rather restless when he's not talking. He is nonetheless Prem's confidante and informal advisor, helping him scope out potential wives. He is not looking for one himself, but when he meets Lady Heer's lady-in-waiting, sparks are bound to fly...
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Shakespeare junkies amongst you will notice the references to Twelfth Night, the second Shakespeare play that I read and my favourite-est, followed closely by A Midsummer Night's Dream (although I seriously hate the version that the Singapore Repertory Theatre put up...or, at the very least, I hated their portrayal of Puck. Although I must say their Twelfth Night was brilliant...Oh Feste! *swoons*) *ahem* Anyway, the character list will be updated as and when I need a new character. Yes, that happens. So yep...
Edited by sourpuss - 16 years ago
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