Northern nurse and idealist whose romance with Ben Cameron shapes the narrative.
A symbolic figure representing Eternal Motherhood who appears between the parallel stories and evokes the passing of generations.
Impoverished young woman who travels from Virginia to Texas to live with her cousin. She endures psychological strain from isolation and relentless wind, marries Lige after rejecting Wirt Roddy's proposal, and ultimately survives a mental breakdown to reconcile with her husband.
Lucy Burrows is the beautiful but unwanted daughter of Battling Burrows, whose brutality leaves her abused and discarded. She finds sanctuary in Cheng Huan's home, where his care develops into a bond between two social outcasts. When forced back home, she hides in a closet but dies before Cheng can rescue her.
Sarah Webber is an elderly widow and Libby Strong’s sister. Softer and more tolerant than Libby, she spends their Maine summer trying to nurse Libby through her discomfort and repair the emotional gulf between them. Libby’s resentment causes Sarah to retreat cautiously, even as both women confront memories of their relationship.
The gentle, gracious matriarch and mother of Jesse and Lewt. She warmly welcomes Pearl to Spanish Bit ranch. Her declining health and subsequent death trigger the family's deepening feud and Jesse's return to Texas.
Jennie is John L. Logan Jr's sweetheart in their small Southern town. She encourages him to stay when he first talks of leaving for New York, but he ultimately departs. Seven years later, after he returns, they reunite and marry.
The only daughter of one of the neighboring families. She falls in love with the Boy, but after her mother and grandfather are killed in the shelling, she becomes deranged. She is later rescued, narrowly escapes unwanted advances from German officer Von Strohm, and ultimately reunites with the Boy to escape enemy forces.
An orphaned, friendless embroiderer living next door to Rodolphe and Marcel, Mimi struggles to pay her rent and resists Vicomte Paul's advances. She falls in love with Rodolphe, secretly works to support him, and leaves after a jealous quarrel. Frail and ill from hard labor, she returns to Rodolphe's apartment and dies there.
A young Kentucky heiress and her uncle's ward, Dosia is held under his control after he spends her fortune and proposes marriage to avoid financial ruin. When she refuses, he conspires with Dr. Protheroe to confine her. Ford discovers and helps rescue her; she and Ford pledge themselves to each other as they escape the burning house.
Angela Chiaromonte is the emotional center of the story, a woman whose love for Capt. Giovanni Severi is threatened by her father's marriage arrangement and the Marchesa di Mola's hostility. After Giovanni is presumed dead, she becomes a nun, later forgives the dying Marchesa, and remains devoted to Giovanni despite his final sacrifice.
Nellie is the daughter of itinerant parents who witnessed an elderly woman's murder as a child. Years later, known as "Little Miss Yes'm," she returns as an orphan and is taken in by the impoverished Hilton family. She works at a nearby farmhouse, recognizes the farmer as connected to the murder, and is rescued by Jimmie, her sweetheart.
Lillian Gish has 145 screen credits in a career dating back to 1912. Their work is anchored in the The Life of a Nation Collection universe with 1 titles. Signature works include The Night of the Hunter, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages, The Birth of a Nation. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Related entry on Wikidata (Q104183), public domain (CC0).
