Character guide

Daniel Deronda

major

Also known as Deronda, Mr. Deronda, Dan, little Daniel

A thoughtful young man who discovers his Jewish heritage and becomes a central figure in the novel.

Gwendolen Harleth

major

Also known as Gwendolen, Miss Harleth, Harleth, Gwen

A spirited and proud young woman who marries Grandcourt and faces moral struggles.

Mirah Lapidoth

major

Also known as Mirah, Lapidoth, Wesley Mirah

A gentle Jewish singer rescued by Deronda, who becomes his love interest.

Henleigh Grandcourt

major

Also known as Grandcourt, Mr. Grandcourt, Henleigh Mallinger Grandcourt, young Grandcourt

A cold and cruel aristocrat who marries Gwendolen and becomes her tormentor.

Mordecai Cohen

major

Also known as Mordecai, Cohen, Ezra Cohen, Ezra

A visionary Jewish scholar and mystic who befriends Deronda and inspires his mission.

Sir Hugo Mallinger

supporting

Also known as Sir Hugo, Hugo, Shakespeare Sir Hugo Mallinger

Deronda's guardian, a benevolent baronet with a hidden secret about Deronda's birth.

Mrs. Meyrick

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Meyrick, Mrs.  Meyrick

A kind widow who takes in Mirah and supports her like a daughter.

Klesmer

supporting

Also known as Herr Klesmer, Julius Klesmer, the unconquered Klesmer

A brilliant German-Jewish musician and mentor to Mirah and Gwendolen.

Mrs. Davilow

supporting

Also known as aunt Davilow, Poor Mrs. Davilow, gentle Mrs. Davilow

Gwendolen's gentle and impoverished mother who worries about her daughter's choices.

Hans Meyrick

supporting

Also known as Hans, Meyrick, Hans Meyrick, poor Hans

A witty and devoted friend of Deronda, part of the Meyrick family.

Rex Gascoigne

supporting

Also known as Rex, the sweet-natured Rex, Poor Rex

Gwendolen's cousin who falls in love with her but is rejected.

Lush

supporting

Also known as Mr. Lush, Thomas Cranmer Lush, the objectionable Mr. Lush

Grandcourt's cynical and manipulative confidant and assistant.

Mrs. Glasher

supporting

Also known as Lydia Glasher, Lydia, that Mrs. Glasher

Grandcourt's former mistress and mother of his children, who haunts Gwendolen.

Lady Mallinger

minor

Also known as innocent Lady Mallinger

Sir Hugo's sweet-natured but somewhat naive wife.

Anna Gascoigne

minor

Also known as Anna, little Anna, Ann, Gascoigne

Gwendolen's gentle and religious younger cousin.

Mrs. Gascoigne

minor

Also known as aunt Gascoigne, Mr. and Mrs. Gascoigne

Gwendolen's aunt and the wife of the rector.

Mr. Gascoigne

minor

Also known as Gascoigne, Mr. and Mrs. Gascoigne

The rector and Gwendolen's uncle, who advises her family.

Catherine Arrowpoint

minor

Also known as Catherine, Miss Arrowpoint, Arrowpoint

A wealthy heiress who defies her parents to marry Klesmer.

Mrs. Arrowpoint

minor

Also known as Mr. and Mrs. Arrowpoint, in Mrs. Arrowpoint

Catherine's snobbish mother who opposes her marriage to Klesmer.

Mr. Arrowpoint

minor

Also known as Mr. and Mrs. Arrowpoint

Catherine's father, a wealthy landowner.

Mab Meyrick

minor

Also known as Mab, Poor Mab, Amabel

One of Mrs. Meyrick's lively daughters and a friend to Mirah.

Kate Meyrick

minor

Also known as Kate, shrewd Kate

Another of Mrs. Meyrick's daughters, known for her sharp wit.

Amy Meyrick

minor

Also known as Amy, the graver Amy

The more serious of Mrs. Meyrick's daughters.

Jacob Cohen

minor

Also known as Jacob Alexander Cohen, Jacob, little Jacob, Skillful Jacob

Mordecai's young nephew, a mischievous but clever boy.

The Princess

supporting

Also known as Princess Halm-Eberstein, Leonora Halm-Eberstein, Leonora

Deronda's long-lost mother, a former singer who reveals his Jewish heritage.

Joseph Kalonymos

minor

Also known as Kalonymos, this Kalonymos

A Jewish banker who helps Deronda learn about his family history.

Lady Brackenshaw

minor

Also known as Lady Brackenshaw, Lady Brackenshaw⁠—and Mrs. Arrowpoint

A local aristocrat who hosts social events in the novel.

Lord Brackenshaw

minor

Also known as the Brackenshaw, the amiable Lord Brackenshaw, Brackenshaw

A genial nobleman and local landowner.

Mr. Vandernoodt

minor

Also known as Vandernoodt

A gossipy acquaintance who spreads news about Grandcourt.

Juliet Fenn

minor

Also known as Miss Juliet Fenn, Juliet, Miss Fenn

A minor character at the Arrowpoint party, known for her singing.

Berenice

minor

Also known as the penitent Berenice, Poor Berenice

A historical figure referenced in the novel's epigraphs and discussions.

Mrs. Mompert

minor

A strict woman who interviews Gwendolen for a governess position.

Lady Pentreath

minor

An elderly aristocrat who appears at social gatherings.

Mrs. Torrington

minor

A minor character mentioned in the context of Gwendolen's social circle.

Charisi

minor

Also known as Daniel Charisi

Deronda's deceased grandfather, a Jewish scholar whose legacy shapes the plot.

Mr. Middleton

minor

Also known as Middleton, poor Middleton

A curate who is a friend of the Gascoigne family.

Young Mrs. Cohen

minor

Also known as Mrs. Cohen, young Mrs. Cohen, the elder Mrs. Cohen, old Mrs. Cohen

Mordecai's sister-in-law, wife of Ezra Cohen.

Gideon

minor

A Jewish friend of Mordecai who participates in philosophical discussions.

Hermione

minor

A character from Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, referenced in the novel.

Miss Cuttler

minor

A minor character at the Arrowpoint musical party.

Alice

minor

Also known as the amiable Alice

A minor character mentioned in passing at social events.

Fetch

minor

A dog owned by the Meyrick family.

Rebecca

minor

Also known as Adelaide Rebekah, Adelaide

A Jewish woman mentioned in the context of Mordecai's circle.

Jocosa

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Mr. Ram

minor

Also known as Ram

A Jewish friend of Mordecai who engages in debate.

Joel Dagge

minor

Also known as Joel

A young Jewish boy who assists Mordecai.

Fanny Davilow

minor

Also known as Fanny, poor Fanny, Fannie

Gwendolen's younger half-sister.

Mr. Bult

minor

Also known as Bult

A guest at the Arrowpoint party who is a politician.

Miss Merry

minor

Also known as Good Miss Merry, Merry

A kind governess who works for the Davilow family.

Solomon

minor

A biblical figure referenced in the novel's epigraphs.

Old Mrs. Vulcany

minor

Also known as Mrs. Vulcany

An elderly woman mentioned in the context of Gwendolen's family.

Mr. Fraser

minor

Also known as Fraser

A minor character, possibly a lawyer or acquaintance.

Mrs. Klesmer

minor

Also known as Klesmer

Catherine Arrowpoint after her marriage to Klesmer.

Tasso

minor

Also known as Klesmer Tasso

A historical poet referenced in the novel's discussions of art.

Madame von Langen

minor

A German singer who mentors Mirah briefly.

Harry Brendall

minor

Also known as Henry

A minor character mentioned in the context of Gwendolen's past.

George Henry Lewes

minor

Also known as Henry, George

A contemporary writer and partner of George Eliot, referenced in the dedication.

Nancy

minor

A servant in the Davilow household.

Israel

minor

The Jewish nation, referenced as a collective entity in the novel.

Sawyer

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or tradesman.

Quetcham

minor

A location or minor character associated with the Arrowpoints.

Miller

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Mrs. Girdle

minor

A minor character, possibly a dressmaker or servant.

Mr. Lassman

minor

A Jewish acquaintance of Mordecai.

Warham

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or local figure.

Nannie

minor

A servant or nurse in the Davilow household.

Lady Flora

minor

Also known as Lady Flora Hollis, republican Florence

A minor aristocrat mentioned in social contexts.

Signora

minor

An Italian singer or performer mentioned briefly.

Cath

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or friend.

Addy

minor

Also known as Adam, Mrs. Adam

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Primrose

minor

A minor character or reference in the novel.

Mrs. Raymond

minor

A minor character mentioned in social circles.

Sigismund

minor

A minor character or historical reference.

Goodwin

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Mackworth

minor

A minor character mentioned in the novel.

Bugle

minor

A minor character or possibly a dog's name.

Bertha

minor

A minor character referenced in the novel.

Rachel

minor

A biblical figure referenced in the novel.

Lily

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Mr. Haynes

minor

A minor character, possibly a tradesman.

Mrs. Gadsby

minor

A minor character mentioned in the novel.

Banks

minor

Also known as Mrs. Banks

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Brewitt

minor

A minor character mentioned in the novel.

Robinson

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant.