Character Analysis: Indigo Garson
Quick Facts
Indigo Garson is the tragic figure at the heart of Baneberry Hall's history. Daughter of William Garson, she died at sixteen in 1889, with her death ruled a suicide, though many suspect foul play. In Ewan Holt's book, House of Horrors, she is reimagined as "Miss Pennyface," a malevolent spirit. Her story is central to the theme of The Past Haunting the Present and the exploration of Truth vs. Fiction and the Unreliability of Narrative.
Who She Is
Indigo Garson is the linchpin of Baneberry Hall's tragic past, a young woman whose life was cut short under mysterious circumstances. Her story is shrouded in speculation and reimagining, transforming her from a footnote in history to a central figure in a haunting narrative. Whether a victim of suicide, murder, or simply a pawn in her father's controlling schemes, Indigo's legacy is one of lost potential and the dark secrets that can fester within a family.
Personality & Traits
Indigo's personality is constructed from fragments of historical accounts and her passionate love letters. Though she died young, her defiance and romantic spirit shine through, making her a tragic heroine trapped in a web of family secrets.
- Romantic and Passionate: Her deep love for Callum Auguste, the artist who painted her portrait, is evident in their secret correspondence. The letters reveal a young woman yearning for a life beyond her father's control.
- Defiant: Despite her father's disapproval, Indigo continues her relationship with Callum, planning to elope and escape her oppressive home. This defiance showcases her strong will and desire for autonomy.
- Tragic: Indigo's story is one of thwarted love and premature death, making her the archetypal tragic heroine of Baneberry Hall. Her fate underscores the theme of Family Secrets and Their Consequences.
- Misrepresented: Her memory is manipulated throughout the novel. She is presented as a suicide victim, then a potential murder victim, and finally, in House of Horrors, as a vengeful spirit.
Character Journey
Indigo's character doesn't develop in a traditional sense; instead, the understanding of her character evolves. Initially, she is a footnote in the house's history, a girl who died young. The discovery of her love letters reframes her as a brave romantic who may have been murdered. Finally, Ewan's fictional narrative in House of Horrors transforms her into the primary antagonist, a vengeful ghost named Miss Pennyface who orchestrates the tragedies at Baneberry Hall. This progression serves to blur the lines between history, speculation, and outright fiction.
Key Relationships
William Garson: Indigo's father, a stern and controlling figure, is the primary antagonist in her story. His refusal to allow her to marry Callum is the catalyst for the tragedy, and the narrative strongly implies that he murdered her to prevent her from leaving. Their relationship is a dark example of patriarchal control and the devastating consequences of unchecked power.
Callum Auguste: The artist who painted Indigo's portrait and her secret fiancé. His love letters, discovered by Ewan and Petra, reveal their plan to elope and his growing fear of what William Garson might do to stop them. Callum represents Indigo's hope for a different life, one filled with love and freedom, making their thwarted romance all the more tragic.
The Holt Family: In the fictional narrative of House of Horrors, Indigo's spirit, "Miss Pennyface," is one of the three entities that terrorize the Holts, particularly Maggie. This relationship is a complete fabrication by Ewan, designed to create a supernatural explanation for the events in his book.
Defining Moments
- Discovery of the Portrait: When the Holts first tour Baneberry Hall, they see Indigo's portrait in the room named after her. This is the first introduction to her character and the mystery surrounding her death.
- Finding the Love Letters: Ewan and Petra discover a biscuit tin hidden in the ceiling containing love letters from Callum Auguste to Indigo. This is a pivotal moment that shifts the perception of her death from a simple suicide to a potential murder.
- The Graveyard in the Woods: Ewan discovers the forgotten Garson family cemetery, including Indigo's gravestone, which confirms her death at sixteen and solidifies her tragic story.
- The Fictional Climax of House of Horrors: In Ewan's book, the climax reveals that the original portrait of Indigo showed her holding a snake, not a rabbit. Ewan uses this fabricated detail to portray her as the true malevolent spirit of Baneberry Hall, a vengeful entity who forces fathers to kill their daughters.
Essential Quotes
“Indigo Garson,” Janie June said. “The Garsons were a big family,” Janie June continued. “William and his wife had four sons, who later formed big families of their own. Indigo was the only daughter. She was sixteen when she died.”
This quote, early in the novel, establishes Indigo's place in the Garson family and highlights her youth at the time of her death. It sets the stage for the mystery surrounding her fate and the impact her story will have on the present.
“Despondent over her lost love, Indigo killed herself.” I shuddered at the realization that another former resident of Baneberry Hall had committed suicide. “How?” “Poisoned herself.” Hibbs pointed farther down the hill, where a cluster of plants sat, their spindly branches covered with scarlet berries. “With those.” “She ate baneberries?” I said.
This passage reveals the initial understanding of Indigo's death: a suicide driven by lost love. The mention of baneberries, poisonous berries growing on the property, adds a chilling detail and foreshadows the darker possibilities surrounding her demise.
“What if—” Petra stopped herself, her cheeks flushing again, as if she knew what she was about to say was stupid. “What if Indigo Garson didn’t commit suicide? What if she was murdered by her father?”
This quote marks a turning point in the narrative, as Petra voices the suspicion that Indigo's death may not have been a suicide at all. It introduces the possibility of foul play and sets the stage for the investigation into the truth behind Indigo's fate.