<Ul> <Li> Major Henry Scobie--Longtime police deputy commissioner and protagonist of the novel . </Li> <Li> Louise Scobie--Henry's devout Catholic wife . </Li> <Li> Catherine Scobie--Deceased daughter of Henry and Louise . </Li> <Li> Ali--Scobie's long - time African servant . </Li> <Li> Edward Wilson--New inspector who secretly spies on the actions of Major Scobie, and is in love with Louise . </Li> <Li> Harris--Housemate to Wilson </Li> <Li> "Dicky" Pemberton--Inspector who commits suicide due to his large debt to Yusef . </Li> <Li> Helen Rolt--Newly arriving widow who becomes Scobie's mistress . </Li> <Li> Yusef--Syrian local black marketeer who blackmails Scobie after finding a letter in which he expresses his love for Helen . </Li> <Li> Tallit--Catholic Syrian who is the main competitor to Yusef . </Li> <Li> Father Rank--Local Catholic priest . </Li> <Li> Father Clay--Catholic priest at Bamba who reads about saints . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Major Henry Scobie--Longtime police deputy commissioner and protagonist of the novel . </Li> <Li> Louise Scobie--Henry's devout Catholic wife . </Li> <Li> Catherine Scobie--Deceased daughter of Henry and Louise . </Li>

Themes of the novel heart of the matter