Characters A Sorceress Comes to Call T. Kingfisher

Penelope Green: Wit, Murder, and Ghostly Presence

Overview

Penelope Green is a secondary character in T. Kingfisher’s A Sorceress Comes to Call, a witty and charismatic guest at Lady Hester’s estate. She is murdered by Evangeline in Chapter 16 and later returns as a ghost, communicating telepathically with Cordelia. Penelope embodies the theme of appearance versus reality, using style and charm to navigate a world that judges women harshly. Her ghostly presence provides crucial aid in the final confrontation against Evangeline.

Plot Role

Penelope’s entry into the story raises the stakes for Evangeline, who sees her as a rival for the Squire’s attention. Penelope’s murder catalyzes Cordelia’s decision to confess her mother’s sorcery to Lady Hester, setting the plot toward its climax. As a ghost, Penelope becomes a supernatural ally, offering Cordelia information and moral support, and ultimately volunteers as the “wine” in the ritual that frees Samuel.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Penelope is driven by a desire for self-preservation and autonomy, but also a fundamental kindness. She deflects Evangeline’s barbs at dinner with humor, showing resilience. She compliments Cordelia as “good company,” providing the girl rare positive attention. Her lecture on beauty versus style reveals her pragmatic acceptance of her own appearance—she has smallpox scars—and her investment in lasting style over fleeting beauty. The text explicitly shows her saying style “lasts longer, and it’s less brittle” than beauty. She casually mentions having been a mistress, indicating a non-judgmental attitude toward her own past. As a ghost, she exhibits curiosity, humor, and a refusal to be vengeful despite being murdered; she remarks, “I’ve always been a very lazy person,” preferring to help rather than shriek for revenge. Her decision to spy on Evangeline for Cordelia, despite the risk of being seen by Falada, shows bravery and loyalty.

Chronological Arc

  1. Arrival and Intrigue (Ch13–14): Penelope arrives at Chatham House, quickly charming the household. Evangeline grows jealous as Penelope commands the Squire’s attention.
  2. Tension and Strategy (Ch15): Evangeline interrogates Cordelia about Penelope, revealing Penelope is an untrained sorcerer. Penelope gives her lecture on style, and Cordelia purposefully stops listening to avoid betraying her.
  3. Murder and Death (Ch16–17): Penelope recounts a disturbing dream of a storm and a glowing horse-sized creature. Later, she is found holding a bloody knife over her dead maid. Evangeline accuses her, and Penelope leaps from the balcony to her death. Evangeline later admits to murdering her.
  4. Ghostly Manifestation (Ch20–23): Cordelia first hears a telepathic whisper after Penelope’s death. In Chapter 23, Penelope’s ghost fully communicates with Cordelia, explaining she has been struggling to reach the living. She sees living people as blobs of light and can only communicate with Cordelia because the girl stands out “a little clearer.”
  5. Alliance and Resolution (Ch24–35): Penelope helps Cordelia by spying on Evangeline, though she cannot go near Falada. She provides information about Evangeline’s actions. During the final confrontation, Penelope urges Cordelia to fight and volunteers as the “wine” in the ritual.
  6. Aftermath (Ch36): Cordelia visits Penelope’s grave, says goodbye, and resolves to live with style in her honor.

Relationships

  • Cordelia: Penelope forms a bond of trust and affection with Cordelia. She recognizes Cordelia’s isolation and offers genuine kindness. After death, she becomes Cordelia’s confidante and ally. Their telepathic conversations reveal Penelope’s witty, pragmatic nature.
  • Evangeline: Evangeline hates Penelope for her easy charm and perceived threat to her plans. She murders Penelope out of jealousy and to eliminate a rival. Penelope’s ghost is aware of Evangeline and cautious of Falada.
  • Hester and the houseguests: Penelope is a dear friend to Hester and Imogene. They appreciate her humor and style. Her death devastates Hester and galvanizes her to act against Evangeline.
  • Falada: Penelope’s ghost followed Falada back to the estate after death; she notes that Falada is a bright monster, not a true horse. She avoids it because it can see her.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  • Decision to trust Cordelia: Penelope shares her personal history and vulnerability with Cordelia. Consequence: Cordelia feels loyalty and later helps Penelope’s ghost.
  • Decision to mock Evangeline gently at dinner: This deepens Evangeline’s hatred and contributes to the murder.
  • As a ghost, decision to help Cordelia: Penelope spies on Evangeline and provides information. Consequence: She cannot leave the estate easily, but her aid proves vital. She also chooses not to seek revenge, focusing on stopping Evangeline from killing more people.
  • Volunteering as the “wine” in the ritual: Penelope sacrifices herself again, though already dead, to complete the ritual to free Samuel. This shows her selflessness and the theme of female solidarity.

Theme and Symbol Connections

  • Appearance vs. Reality: Penelope’s playful exterior hides deep insight and pain. Her lecture on style versus beauty underscores the novel’s critique of superficial judgments. She is more than a frivolous woman; she is a survivor. This theme is explored further on the appearance vs. reality page.
  • Female Solidarity: Penelope’s friendships with Hester and Imogene, and her later alliance with Cordelia, exemplify women supporting each other against a common threat. She is the catalyst for Cordelia’s rebellion. See female solidarity for more.
  • Betrayal and Trust: Evangeline betrays Penelope’s trust by murdering her. Cordelia’s trust in Penelope’s ghost proves well-placed, contrasting with Evangeline’s betrayal. The theme is detailed on the betrayal and trust page.
  • Resistance and Sacrifice: Penelope’s death is a sacrifice forced by Evangeline, but her ghostly resistance is voluntary. She sacrifices her peace to help the living. This connects to resistance and sacrifice.
  • Symbolism of Water and Salt: In Chapter 26, Penelope’s ghost reacts to water and salt, foreshadowing the ritual in Chapter 35. Water becomes a medium for her communication. Salt is used in the binding.

Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Evangeline target Penelope?
    Evangeline sees Penelope as a rival for the Squire’s attention and is threatened by Penelope’s natural charisma, which she cannot control with magic. The novel also reveals that Penelope is an untrained sorcerer, making her a potential competitor.

  2. How does Penelope’s ghost communicate with Cordelia?
    Penelope’s ghost speaks telepathically, projecting words and emotions directly into Cordelia’s mind. Cordelia can respond mentally. The ghost often brings sensory scents like cinnamon, watercress, or lavender.

  3. What does Penelope’s lecture on beauty vs. style reveal about her character?
    It shows that Penelope has accepted her own physical imperfections (smallpox scars) and prioritizes lasting style over fragile beauty. She values inner wit and self-awareness over superficial attraction. The novel implies this philosophy comes from experience and resilience.

  4. Does Penelope’s ghost seek revenge?
    No. She says she is too lazy for proper haunting and instead wants to prevent Evangeline from killing anyone else. She volunteers to help Cordelia even after death, showing a forgiving and altruistic nature.

  5. What is the significance of Penelope’s final line “Tell everyone goodbye”?
    When Cordelia hears this line before losing consciousness, the novel strongly suggests Penelope has passed on to an afterlife after the ritual. It provides closure for Cordelia and underscores Penelope’s selfless departure.

For more discussion, see the questions and answers page and the ending explained.