Characters

The most important characters in “The Other Daughter” by Joanne C. Hillhouse are the narrator and her mother Ruth.

An illegitimate child, the narrator is struggling to find her identity. This appears difficult, as the narrator seems to feel devalued by society and by her father’s abandonment. Writing helps the narrator cope with, explore, and express her emotions about her situation and about her mother, Ruth.

Ruth is a strong-minded woman who has ended up in a difficult social position. She goes through the realisation that her daughter might have a similar fate to hers, and she decides to change this.

The story also briefly mentions other characters. For example, the Prime Minister plays a significant role in the story, even though he never appears directly. 

You can find the narrator's and Ruth's characterisations in the next pages.