Harry Feversham
Harry is the protagonist of the novel. In accordance with the wishes of his father, he becomes an officer in the British army. Deep down in his soul, however, he shrinks from his vocation. When he decides at last to leave it in order to marry Ethne Eustace, his action is mistakenly taken as a sign of moral weakness. Three of his colleagues send him each a white feather as an emblem of cowardice. Misguided by such an act, Ethne adds a fourth feather and breaks her engagement with him. At this point, Harry decides to prove himself to family and friends by going to the war-zone in Egypt and the Sudan where he redeems his reputation and value by dint of heroic deeds, endurance, and bravery. Harry is a character who is always thinking about the right things to do. Despite the accusations of cowardice, he shows an extraordinary amount of courage and valor during his captivity which indicates that he is a man who would risk anything to defend his principles.
Ethne Eustace
Ethne Eustace is the love interest of both Harry Feversham and Colonel Durrance. Originally from Donegal in Ireland, Ethne is portrayed as a kind and gentle young lady. Under the pressure and influence of the white feathers sent to her intended - Harry Feversham - she wrongly corroborates the claim and breaks off her engagement with him. In the course of time, Ethne realizes the gravity of her mistake. With a guilty conscience of one who thinks she has already brought one man to his ruin, Ethne becomes engaged to Colonel Durrance, after an incident causing him blindness, in an attempt to save another from the same fate. Subsequent to Harry’s return home, Ethne is set free by Colonel Durrance and is given a second chance to start a new life with the man she loves.
Colonel Durrance
He is a lieutenant of the East Surrey regiment and Harry’s friend. He is secretly in love with Ethne Eustace, and at the same time oblivious of being the love interest of Mrs. Adair. Durrance is a good friend to Harry, and a character who always weighs the goodness and propriety of his acts in order to make the right choices regardless of his own interests. Although he had lost his eyesight during an expedition, Durrance seems to have gained the ability to see clearer into his soul and other people’s. Accordingly, he breaks his engagement with Ethne so that she can marry the man she loves.
General Feversham
He is Harry’s father, and a veteran of the war. He is portrayed as a rigid old man who can neither perceive the wretchedness which his own expectations had brought upon his only son, nor accept the wishes and choices of the latter.
Lieutenant Sutch
A former officer of the Naval Brigade, and an old companion of General Feversham. He takes a keen interest in the welfare of young Harry not only because of his long friendship with his father, but also because of the love and respect he had for his mother. He remains faithful to the young man even after the rumors concerning his failing courage.
Mr. Castleton
He is the officer who sends the telegram announcing to Feversham that his brigade is shifting to the Sudan. Later on, upon communicating with Captain Trench and Lieutenant Willoughby, he contributes to their idea by sending one feather as an emblem of Harry’s cowardice.
Lieutenant Willoughby
A brother-officer of Harry Feversham. He was on leave in England and dining with the latter when the telegram sent by Mr. Castleton arrived. He contributes to the accusation upon Harry by sending one feather.
Captain Trench
A fellow officer of Harry. He is the one who suggests the idea of sending feathers as a mark of cowardice. Later on, when he is captured and imprisoned in Omdurman with Feversham, he finds out the true character of this young man and regrets his former act. Upon returning to England, he goes to see Ethne in order to inform her and give her the feathers to redeem Harry’s character.
Mrs. Adair
She is a lady who lives in London and is a friend of Ethne Eustace. Although married, she was also in love with Colonel Durrance. After the death of her husband, her interest in Durrance is strengthened but at the same time her hopes are crushed by the latter’s attachment towards Ethne. Mrs. Adair is smart and careful. At the end, nobody knows about her affection towards Colonel Durrance, not even this gentleman himself.
