The Things We Leave Unfinished

Scarlett Stanton is a protagonist and point-of-view character, the female lead of the historical romance story. She is 20 when the story opens, the eldest daughter of Baron and Lady Wright, impoverished aristocrats who want to repair the family fortunes by forcing Scarlett into marriage with a man she hates.

Scarlett is honest and forthright, and with her strong sense of self, she can be a bit flinty. Jameson describes her in the following quote: “She never minced words or played games. She wasn’t coy or flirtatious, either. She guarded her emotions the same way she protected her sister—someone was only given access once they’d proven their worth” (149). While Scarlett has the strength to resist her parents’ plans for her, she is loyal to her younger sister, Constance. She is also wholly committed to Jameson. Though she loves her work in the WAAF, she resigns for him to help raise their son, William. Scarlett would rather stay near Jameson, but she agrees to his request to take William to Jameson’s family in the States so he can be safe from war.

Scarlett likes to tell stories, and after Jameson buys her a typewriter, she begins writing down bits of novels, including the story of her love affair with Jameson. Scarlett and Jameson’s tragic love is regarded in family lore as an epic romance.

Noah Harrison is a protagonist, one of the point-of-view characters, and the male romantic lead in the contemporary romance portion of the novel. He is around 30 years old and six feet tall, with tanned skin, dark-black eyes, and a straight nose. His “angular, sculpted” (7) features are complemented by his fit, athletic body. Georgia finds him extremely attractive. He has tattoos for each of the 20 books he has written. His real last name is Morelli, but his publisher encouraged him to take the pen name Harrison.

At the beginning of the novel, Noah believes that his stories, with their poignant endings, are truer to life, and romance novels are unrealistic. Noah is a hard worker, stubborn and determined, and he is committed to keeping his promises. His father is dead, but he is close with his mother and sister, Adrienne. Noah’s hobby is rock-climbing, which he enjoys for the challenge. He also enjoys the challenge of winning over Georgia.

To show his commitment to Georgia, Noah upholds her wishes both in refusing the give her ex-husband movie rights to Scarlett’s books and in giving Scarlett’s unfinished manuscript the ending Georgia wants. In this, Noah rewrites Georgia’s failed love affair with Damian with a better one that meets her needs and wishes. When Georgia is upset that he did not inform her the book was finished, Noah decides to learn the full truth about her family history as a way to show he cares. He is ready to sacrifice his reputation and career to keep his promise to Georgia, which proves his compatibility as a romantic partner.

Jameson Stanton is a protagonist and point-of-view character in the historical love story. He is a contrast and foil to Noah, the male protagonist of the contemporary narrative.

Jameson and Noah share the attributes of being daring, reckless, adventurous, loyal, and extremely physically attractive. Jameson is tall, with green eyes and a lively sense of humor.

Jameson experiences little change as a character during the story; he remains a steady, strong, handsome, admirable man from start to finish, further developing into a loving husband and doting father. He has a strong protective instinct and will do anything he can to protect and support his wife and son. Jameson’s death when he is shot down in an air fight symbolizes the devastating loss of war and the lost opportunity for a loving future. His tragedy lends an epic, unforgettable edge to his love story, which contrasts with the contemporary love story, where the lovers are able to be together.