Children’s Stories · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Children’s Stories by Oscar Wilde.
the young Fisherman
major
Also known as Fisherman, the Fisherman
A young fisherman who falls in love with a mermaid and seeks to rid himself of his soul.
the Star-Child
major
Also known as Star-Child
A beautiful but cruel child found in the forest who learns humility through suffering.
the little Dwarf
supporting
Also known as the little dwarf, The little Dwarf
A misshapen dwarf brought to entertain the Infanta, who dies of a broken heart.
Little Hans
major
Also known as Hans, little Hans, Poor little Hans
A kind-hearted gardener exploited by his friend the Miller.
the young King
major
Also known as The young King, The Young King
A shepherd boy raised in exile who becomes king and rejects worldly riches.
the Witch
supporting
Also known as The Witch
A sorceress who helps the young Fisherman lose his soul.
the Remarkable Rocket
major
Also known as the Rocket, Rocket, The Remarkable Rocket
A vain and arrogant firework who believes himself superior to all others.
the Nightingale
major
Also known as Nightingale, little Nightingale, The Nightingale
A selfless nightingale who sacrifices her life to create a red rose for a student.
the Swallow
major
Also known as little Swallow, the little Swallow, Swallow, Dear little Swallow
A swallow who delays his migration to help the Happy Prince distribute his jewels.
the Selfish Giant
major
Also known as the Giant, The Giant, The Selfish Giant
A giant who forbids children from his garden until he learns the value of sharing.
the Priest
supporting
Also known as the priest, The Priest, The priest
A religious figure who counsels the young Fisherman and later the Star-Child.
Avarice
minor
A personification of greed encountered by the young King in a dream.
big Hugh the Miller
supporting
Also known as Miller, the Miller
A selfish miller who manipulates Little Hans under the guise of friendship.
the Frog
minor
Also known as the little Frog
A talkative frog who comments on the Rocket's behavior.
Death
minor
A personified figure who appears in the young King's dream visions.
a Green Linnet
minor
Also known as the Linnet
A bird who narrates the story of the Devoted Friend.
the Duck
minor
A duck who converses with the Rocket in the garden.
The master of the galley
minor
Also known as the master of the galley
The captain of the galley that carries the young King's tapestry weavers.
One of the priests
minor
A priest who accompanies the main priest in the Star-Child story.
the Priest who was reading out of the Holy Book
minor
A priest reading scripture when the Star-Child is found.
the Dragonfly
minor
A dragonfly that briefly speaks with the Rocket.
Catherine Wheel
minor
Also known as the Catherine Wheel
A firework who argues with the Rocket about importance.
the Roman Candle
minor
A firework who speaks during the Rocket's story.
Don Pedro of Aragon
minor
Also known as Don Pedro
A nobleman mentioned as being hated by the Rocket's owner.
a Bengal Light
minor
Also known as the Bengal Light
A firework that comments on the Rocket's vanity.
the Tree
minor
A tree in the Giant's garden that blossoms for the children.
the Tartars
minor
A group of warriors mentioned in the young King's dream.
the Doctor
minor
A doctor who attends the Infanta's birthday festivities.
the North Wind
minor
A personified wind that helps the young Fisherman.
the Wolf
minor
Also known as The Wolf
A wolf that appears in the forest where the Star-Child wanders.
the Woodcutter
minor
The man who finds the Star-Child in the forest.
Poverty
minor
A personification of poverty seen in the young King's dream.
The Flowers
minor
Anthropomorphic flowers that speak in the Giant's garden.
the Reed
minor
Also known as Reed, The Reed
A reed courted by the Swallow before he meets the Prince.
Dear Prince
minor
The Happy Prince's statue, addressed by the Swallow.
Jean le Fou
minor
A jester in the Infanta's court who entertains her.
the Soul
supporting
The young Fisherman's soul, which he tries to banish.
The Afghans
minor
A group of warriors in the young King's dream vision.
Lady Desborough
minor
A noblewoman mentioned in the Rocket's story.
the Infanta
supporting
Also known as The Infanta, The Infanta of Spain
A young Spanish princess whose birthday is celebrated.
the Cactus
minor
A cactus that speaks to the Rocket in the garden.
Gold Stick
minor
A court official in the Infanta's household.
the Turtledoves
minor
Birds that coo in the Giant's garden.
the Hare
minor
Also known as the little Hare
A hare that appears in the forest with the Star-Child.
