Character guide

Maggie Tulliver

major

Also known as Maggie, Magsie, Miss Maggie, cousin Maggie, Maggie Tulliver

Impulsive and intelligent young woman, central protagonist of the novel.

Tom Tulliver

major

Also known as Tom, Master Tom, Tom Tulliver, cousin Tom

Maggie's rigid and dutiful brother, who values family honor above all.

Mr. Tulliver

major

Also known as Tulliver, old Tulliver, honest Mr. Tulliver

Proud mill owner whose legal battles lead to the family's ruin.

Philip Wakem

supporting

Also known as Philip, Wakem, dear Philip, Phil

Hunchbacked son of Lawyer Wakem, intellectual companion and secret friend to Maggie.

Stephen Guest

supporting

Also known as Guest, Mr. Guest, Mr. Stephen Guest, Stephen

Charming and wealthy suitor who becomes entangled with Maggie and Lucy.

Mrs. Tulliver

supporting

Also known as aunt Tulliver, poor Mrs. Tulliver, Amiable Mrs. Tulliver

Maggie and Tom's anxious, doting mother who values her household possessions.

Bob Jakin

supporting

Also known as Bob, Poor Bob, Jakin, The ingenious Bob

Loyal childhood friend of Tom and Maggie who becomes a successful packman.

Lucy Deane

supporting

Also known as Lucy, Miss Lucy, Little Lucy, dear Lucy, Lucy Deane

Maggie's gentle, kind-hearted cousin and Stephen Guest's fiancée.

Mrs. Glegg

supporting

Also known as sister Glegg, aunt Glegg, Glegg

Formidable, money-minded aunt who often clashes with Mr. Tulliver.

Mr. Glegg

supporting

Also known as good Mr. Glegg, uncle Glegg, Glegg

Mild-mannered uncle who is dominated by his wife Mrs. Glegg.

Mrs. Pullet

supporting

Also known as sister Pullet, Pullet, aunt Pullet, Mrs. Pullet

Maggie's hypochondriac aunt who takes pride in her fine linen.

Mr. Deane

supporting

Also known as sister Deane, Deane, uncle Deane

Successful businessman and Lucy's father who helps Tom find work.

Mrs. Moss

minor

Also known as Moss, aunt Moss, Poor Mrs. Moss, good Mrs. Moss

Mr. Tulliver's kind but impoverished sister with many children.

Dr. Kenn

supporting

Also known as this Dr. Kenn, Kenn

Wise and compassionate clergyman who befriends Maggie in St. Ogg's.

Mr. Riley

minor

Also known as Riley, Mr. Riley

Auctioneer and advisor who recommends a school for Tom.

Luke

minor

Also known as Good Luke

Loyal mill hand who works for the Tulliver family.

Lawyer Wakem

supporting

Also known as Mr. Wakem, Wakem, old Wakem, lawyer Wakem

Clever and vindictive lawyer who becomes Mr. Tulliver's enemy.

Bessy

minor

Also known as Poor Bessy, poor Bessy

Mrs. Tulliver's maiden name; used affectionately by her husband.

Mr. Stelling

minor

Also known as Mr. or Mrs. Stelling, Stelling, the Rev. Mr. Stelling

Tom's schoolmaster who also tutors Philip Wakem.

Mrs. Stelling

minor

Also known as Mr. or Mrs. Stelling

The schoolmaster's wife who hosts Maggie during her visit.

Mr. Poulter

minor

Also known as old Poulter, Poulter

Local soldier who teaches Tom sword exercises.

Mumps

minor

The Tulliver family dog.

Yap

minor

Maggie's small dog that she carries around.

Kezia

minor

The Tulliver family's maid servant.

Mr. Moss

minor

Also known as good Mr. Moss

Mrs. Moss's husband, a poor farmer.

Mrs. Wooll

minor

Also known as Mrs. Wooll of St. Ogg

A resident of St. Ogg's mentioned in passing.

Lizzy Dodson

minor

Also known as Lizzy, the eldest Miss Dodson, Elizabeth Dodson, Miss Elizabeth Dodson

One of the Dodson sisters, known for her strict propriety.

Minny

minor

Lucy Deane's small pet dog.

Mr. Turnbull

minor

Doctor who attends to the Tulliver family.

Sally

minor

Servant at the Tulliver household.

Mr. Pivart

minor

Also known as Pivart, a Pivart

Landowner whose irrigation plans cause conflict with Mr. Tulliver.

Mr. Gore

minor

Also known as Gore, Lawyer Gore

A lawyer involved in Mr. Tulliver's legal affairs.

Mrs. Jakin

minor

Bob Jakin's mother.

Gritty

minor

Also known as poor Gritty, aunt Gritty

Another name for Mrs. Moss, Mr. Tulliver's sister.

Furley

minor

A man who holds a mortgage on Dorlcote Mill.

Mrs. Kenn

minor

Also known as poor Mrs. Kenn

Dr. Kenn's deceased wife, mentioned in the story.

Laura

minor

Also known as little Laura, the little cherub Laura, Miss Laura

A young girl at the school where Maggie briefly teaches.

Susan Dodson

minor

Also known as Miss Dodson, Miss Susan Dodson, Susan

One of the Dodson sisters, later Mrs. Deane.

Mr. Jacobs

minor

Also known as Jacobs

A tradesman who deals with Tom Tulliver.

Dix

minor

A friend of Bob Jakin.

Spouncer

minor

A schoolfellow of Tom's at Mr. Stelling's.

Mrs. Sutton

minor

Also known as old Mrs. Sutton

An elderly woman in the neighborhood.

Louisa Timpson

minor

Also known as Timpson

A girl mentioned in the Dodson family circle.

Miss Firniss

minor

A teacher at the school Maggie attends briefly.

John Wakem

minor

Lawyer Wakem's first name, rarely used.

John Gibbs

minor

A man who works for Mr. Tulliver.

Mr. Spray

minor

An auctioneer who sells the Tulliver household goods.

Sir John Crake

minor

A local landowner mentioned in conversation.

Mr. Hyndmarsh

minor

A client of Lawyer Wakem.

Gell

minor

A carrier or tradesman in the village.

Mr. Carr

minor

A friend of Stephen Guest.

Miss Torry

minor

Also known as young Torry

A young woman at a party in St. Ogg's.

Cousin Abbott

minor

Also known as Abbott

A cousin of the Dodson family.

Baxter

minor

A man who works for Guest & Co.

Winship

minor

A clerk at Guest & Co.

Ralph Tulliver

minor

Also known as the clever Ralph

A deceased relative of the Tulliver family, mentioned as a clever man.

Mrs. Pepper

minor

A neighbor of the Tullivers.

Miss Unit

minor

A teacher at the school Maggie attends.