6.1 The poet-speaker
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| reflective, philosophical | thinks about ownership, the spirit-world, human desires |
| sensitive to the past | sees and hears "all that has been" |
| calm and unafraid | calls the ghosts "harmless", "inoffensive" |
| humble about possessions | "We have no title-deeds to house or lands" |
| spiritual and hopeful | sees a "bridge of light" to the spirit-world |
6.2 The stranger
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| a visitor, not connected to the house's past | sits at the fireside but cannot see the forms |
| limited to the present | "He but perceives what is" |
| represents | anyone without memories of a place |
6.3 The phantoms
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| harmless, inoffensive, quiet | stanzas 1 and 3 |
| silent | "feet that make no sound"; "silent as the pictures" |
| busy with life's routines | "on their errands" |
| present everywhere in the house | doorway, stair, passages, hall, table |
| still claim their homes | "stretch their dusty hands … hold in mortmain" |