Samson
Samson is a minor character of "Beauty Parlor." He, once possessing immense strength, lost it to a lover when she cut his hair. He carried that memory of a haircut with him for years, until his anger was finally released, resulting in the death of his captors when he pushed the pillars of an arena down on them all.
Michael
Michael in "Beauty Parlor" is compared to the archangel. He is performing a sacred and uplifting task, sending the narrator back to a vivid memory of childhood. In a sense he is a servant, performing a service of beautification and healing.
The Invalid
The subject of this poem is a sick patient who appears to suffer a recurring illness. She seems to be a she based upon the type of sofa she rests on, the comparison to Leonard's paintings, and the comparison to a poetess. The feminine remains the primary descriptor. In a state of self-pity, the invalid laments her situation and her own pathetic resistance to illness.
