Hunger · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Hunger by Knut Hamsun.
The Narrator
major
Also known as I, me, mine, ye, myself
An impoverished, starving writer wandering Christiania, struggling with pride and madness.
Ylajali
supporting
A mysterious woman the narrator obsesses over and briefly meets.
Hans Pauli
minor
Also known as Hans Pauli Pettersen
A student acquaintance of the narrator who appears in the city.
Cisler
minor
A man the narrator encounters and interacts with briefly.
Missy
minor
A woman the narrator speaks with in a shop.
Student Pettersen
minor
A student who interacts with the narrator.
Happolati
minor
Also known as Johann Arendt Happolati
A man the narrator meets and writes about.
Jens Olaj
minor
A minor character mentioned in the narrative.
Friele
minor
A person the narrator encounters.
Pascha
minor
Also known as Bookseller Pascha
A bookseller the narrator visits.
Christie
minor
Also known as Mr. Christie
A man the narrator meets.
Miss Andersen
minor
A woman the narrator briefly interacts with.
Kierulf
minor
Also known as Joachim Kierulf
A person mentioned in the narrator's thoughts.