The Coral Island · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne.
Ralph Rover
major
Also known as Ralph, Rover
The narrator and one of three boys shipwrecked on a coral island.
Jack Martin
major
Also known as Jack, Whereupon Jack
A resourceful and brave boy who becomes the leader of the castaways.
Peterkin Gay
major
Also known as Peterkin, Master Peterkin, Poor Peterkin
The cheerful and impulsive youngest of the three shipwrecked boys.
Bloody Bill
supporting
Also known as Bill, XXIV Bloody Bill
A reformed pirate who helps the boys and later sacrifices himself.
Tararo
supporting
A powerful native chief who initially opposes the missionaries.
Avatea
supporting
A native girl who converts to Christianity and faces persecution.
Romata
minor
A fierce and warlike native chief who threatens the boys.
The Captain
minor
Also known as captain, our captain
Captain of the pirate schooner who captures the boys.
The Pirate Captain
minor
Leader of the pirates who briefly holds the boys captive.
Missionary
minor
A Christian missionary who converts the natives on the island.
Dick
minor
A young sailor on the pirate ship who befriends the boys.
Hercules
minor
A mythological figure briefly referenced by the boys.
Venus
minor
A mythological figure briefly referenced by the boys.