Character guide

Arthur Kipps

major

Also known as Kipps, Artie, Art, old Kipps, young Kipps, little Kipps, the fortunate Kipps, Art Kipps, Arthur Waddy Kipps

A young draper's assistant who unexpectedly inherits a fortune and struggles to adapt to high society.

Ann Pornick

major

Also known as Ann, young Ann, Pornick, Mary

Kipps's childhood sweetheart and later his wife, a simple and kind-hearted girl from New Romney.

Helen Walshingham

supporting

Also known as Miss Walshingham, young Walshingham, Helen, Miss Helen Walshingham, Walshingham

An ambitious and cultured young woman who becomes engaged to Kipps after his inheritance.

Chester Coote

supporting

Also known as Mr. Chester Coote, Mr. Coote, Coote, Chester, the exemplary Coote

A snobbish social climber who attempts to mentor Kipps in etiquette and society.

Sid Pornick

supporting

Also known as Sid, Pornick, Sidney, young Pornick, Mrs. Sid, Mrs. Sidney Pornick

Ann's brother and a socialist friend who provides Kipps with a different perspective on life.

Harry Chitterlow

supporting

Also known as Chitterlow, Harry, old Harry, little Harry, Mrs. Chitterlow

A boisterous playwright who befriends Kipps and involves him in a theatrical venture.

Masterman

supporting

Also known as Mr. Masterman

A socialist intellectual who influences Kipps's thinking about class and society.

Mrs. Kipps

minor

Also known as young Artie, Artie, Art Kipps, old Kipps, Arthur

Kipps's mother, a simple woman from the working class who appears briefly in his early life.

Buggins

minor

Also known as Poor old Buggins, old Buggins

A fellow draper's assistant at Shalford's emporium and friend of Kipps.

Pierce

minor

Another draper's assistant at Shalford's who works alongside Kipps.

Mr. Shalford

minor

Also known as Shalford, old Shalford

The owner of the draper's emporium where Kipps works as an apprentice.

Carshot

minor

A fellow apprentice at Shalford's emporium who interacts with Kipps.

Miss Coote

minor

Also known as Coote

Chester Coote's sister, a minor figure in the social circle.

Gwendolen

minor

A young woman who briefly catches Kipps's attention during his social ascent.

Woodrow

minor

Also known as Mr. Woodrow

A minor acquaintance in Kipps's social circle after his inheritance.

Bean

minor

Also known as old Bean, Mr. Bean, O ' Bean

An elderly man from New Romney who knows Kipps's family.

Mr. Revel

minor

Also known as Revel

A minor character involved in Kipps's social and business dealings.

Flo Bates

minor

Also known as Flo

A young woman from Kipps's past in New Romney.

Miss Mergle

minor

A teacher at the woodcarving class Kipps attends.

Mrs. Walshingham

minor

Also known as Walshingham, young Walshingham

Helen Walshingham's mother, a social-climbing widow.

Mrs. Bindon Botting

minor

Also known as Mrs. Botting, old Kipps

A relative of Kipps who appears after his inheritance.

Lady Punnet

minor

A minor aristocratic figure in Kipps's social circle.

Jane

minor

Also known as Lady Jane

A servant or minor acquaintance in the story.

Mrs. Chitterlow

minor

Also known as Chitterlow

Harry Chitterlow's wife, who appears briefly.

Old Methusaleh

minor

Also known as Methusaleh, good old Methusaleh, old Methusaleh Four Stars

A nickname for a character or a reference in the narrative.

Booch

minor

Also known as old Booch, Mr. Booch

A minor character from Kipps's early life.

Mrs. Wace

minor

Also known as Mrs. Raymond Wace

A minor social acquaintance of the Walshinghams.

Maud Charteris

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Thomas Norgate

minor

Also known as the Hon. Thomas Norgate

A minor aristocratic figure mentioned in the story.

Mrs. Cuyps

minor

Also known as Cuyps

A minor character in Kipps's social orbit.

Biddy Murphy

minor

A minor character from Kipps's past.

Arthur Cuyps

minor

Also known as Arthur, Artie, Cuyps

A minor character possibly related to Mrs. Cuyps.

Little Mr. Wace

minor

A minor character, possibly related to Mrs. Wace.