Short Fiction · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Short Fiction by E. M. Forster.
Harold
major
Also known as The wretched Harold, Kind Harry, Harry, Henry
A central male character, often referred to as Harold or Harry, involved in key plot events.
Miss Raby
major
A focal female character whose perspective drives much of the narrative.
Vashti
major
A central female character, likely a protagonist in one of the stories.
Michael
major
Also known as III, Micky, III Micky
A recurring male character, sometimes called Micky, involved in multiple storylines.
Mildred Peaslake
supporting
Also known as Mildred, Dear Mildred
A supporting female character, often addressed as Dear Mildred.
Miss Beaumont
major
A focal female character whose thoughts and actions are central to the story.
the boy
supporting
A young male character, often referred to simply as the boy, with a significant role.
Mr. Lucas
major
Also known as the fastidious Mr. Lucas
A fastidious older gentleman who experiences a transformative journey.
Colonel Leyland
supporting
A military man who appears in social settings and interacts with other characters.
Mr. Harcourt Worters
supporting
Also known as Mr. Worters, Harcourt, All Harcourt
A well-to-do gentleman, often called Harcourt, involved in social dynamics.
Mr. Bons
supporting
Also known as Dear Mr. Bons, Bons, that Mr. Bons of whom I told you yesterday
A character who appears in a story about a celestial omnibus.
Gennaro
supporting
Also known as Mr. Gennaro
An Italian character, possibly a local, who interacts with visitors.
Eustace
major
Also known as a Panic I Eustace, Mr. Eustace, Signor Eustace
A young man who experiences a panic in the Italian countryside.
Feo Ginori
supporting
Also known as Feo, dear Feo
An Italian character, likely a local, with a narrative presence.
Sir Edwin
supporting
A titled gentleman who appears in social contexts.
Ethel
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Mr. Andrews
major
A character who embarks on a spiritual journey after death.
Ford
supporting
Also known as Mr. Ford, Oh Ford
A character named Ford, involved in a story about coordination.
Miss Haddon
minor
A female character who appears in social settings.
Jack Ford
supporting
Also known as Jack mad, Ford, Jack, poor Jack
A troubled young man, often called Jack, with a narrative arc.
Giuseppe
minor
An Italian character, likely a servant or local.
Mr. Leyland
minor
Also known as Leyland, Leyland who had apparently been asleep
A character who appears in a story, sometimes found asleep.
Miss Eliza Dimbleby
minor
Also known as Elizabeth, the tiresome Elizabeth
A female character, sometimes called Elizabeth, with a minor role.
Lady Peaslake
minor
A titled female character, mother of Mildred Peaslake.
Adam
minor
Also known as Mr. Adam
A male character with a limited but named presence.
Mr. Sandbach
minor
Also known as kind Mr. Sandbach
A kind gentleman who appears in a story about a panic.
Rose
minor
Also known as Poor Rose
A female character, sometimes called Poor Rose, with a minor role.
Emily
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Kuno
major
A character in the story The Machine Stops, son of Vashti.
Evelyn
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Signora Cantù
minor
An Italian female character, likely a local resident.
Mrs. Worters
minor
Also known as old Mrs. Worters
An older female character, mother of Harcourt Worters.
Janet
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Lilian
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Catherine
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
the Faun
supporting
A mythical creature who appears in a story set in Italy.
Mrs. Forman
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Mr. Graham
minor
Also known as Graham, Fortunately Graham
A character who appears in a story, noted as fortunate.
Miss Mary Robinson
minor
Also known as Miss Robinson, Miss Mary
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Marie Louise
minor
Also known as Maria
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Mr. Inskip
minor
Also known as Inskip
A male character with a limited but named presence.
Helen
minor
Also known as Ellen
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Signora Scafetti
minor
An Italian female character, likely a local resident.
Dear Tommy
minor
Also known as Tommy
A male character, often addressed as Dear Tommy.
the Machine
major
Also known as The Machine
The central technological entity in The Machine Stops.
Eustazio
minor
An Italian character with a limited but named presence.
Mother
minor
A maternal figure with a limited but named presence.
the Siren
supporting
A mythical creature central to The Story of the Siren.
Dearest Edwin
minor
A male character, often addressed as Dearest Edwin.
Dolores
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Violet
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Caterina
minor
An Italian female character with a limited presence.
the Miss Robinsons
minor
Also known as Miss Robinsons, The poor Miss Robinsons
A pair of sisters with a limited but named presence.
Signor Cantù
minor
An Italian male character, likely a local resident.
Enid
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Vorta
minor
A character with a limited but named presence.
Jane
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
the Peaslakes
minor
Also known as Peaslakes, The Peaslakes
A family group with a limited but named presence.
Mrs. Popham
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
Papa
minor
A paternal figure with a limited but named presence.
Margaret
minor
A female character with a limited but named presence.
