Character guide

Christopher Nubbles

major

Also known as Kit, Poor Kit, Christopher, Christian

Honest and loyal servant to Nell and her grandfather, later a central figure in the story.

Richard Swiveller

major

Also known as Mr. Swiveller, Dick Swiveller, Swiveller, Dick

A charming, idle young man who becomes entangled with the Brass family and the Marchioness.

Nell Trent

major

Also known as Nelly, Little Nell, Little Nelly, Miss Nell

The virtuous young heroine who travels with her grandfather through England.

Sampson Brass

supporting

Also known as Mr. Sampson Brass, Mr. Brass, Sampson, Sammy, Brass

A scheming, obsequious attorney who conspires with Quilp against Kit.

Sally Brass

supporting

Also known as Miss Sally Brass, Miss Brass, Sally, Sarah

Sampson's sharp-tongued sister and clerk, who mistreats the small servant.

Daniel Quilp

major

Also known as Quilp, Mr. Quilp, Daniel

A grotesque, malicious dwarf who delights in tormenting others and pursuing Nell.

Mrs. Quilp

supporting

Also known as Betsy Quilp, sweet Mrs. Quilp

Quilp's timid and abused wife, who fears her husband's cruelty.

The Schoolmaster

supporting

Also known as schoolmaster, Mr. Marton

A kind teacher who befriends Nell and her grandfather during their travels.

Mr. Chuckster

minor

Also known as Chuckster

A pompous clerk at Sampson Brass's office, often mocking Kit.

Tommy Codlin

minor

Also known as Codlin, Tom Codlin, Mr. Codlin, Thomas Codlin

A grumpy showman who travels with Short and the Punch and Judy show.

Abel Garland

supporting

Also known as Mr. Garland, Abel, old Mr. Garland

A kind, elderly gentleman who employs Kit and helps the Trents.

Barbara

minor

Also known as Poor Barbara, Little Barbara

The Garlands' maidservant who becomes Kit's sweetheart.

Mrs. Jarley

minor

Also known as Jarley

Proprietor of a traveling waxworks exhibition who employs Nell.

The Small Servant

supporting

Also known as small servant

An abused, half-starved girl working for the Brasses, later befriended by Swiveller.

Short

minor

Also known as Mr. Short, Even Short

A cheerful showman who operates the Punch and Judy show with Codlin.

The Marchioness

supporting

Also known as Marchioness

Nickname given by Swiveller to the small servant, who later becomes his wife.

Jacob

minor

Also known as little Jacob

Kit's younger brother, a playful child living with their mother.

Miss Monflathers

minor

A stern, snobbish headmistress of a boarding school who scolds Nell.

Frederick Trent

supporting

Also known as Fred, Trent, young Trent

Nell's dissolute older brother who schemes to get her inheritance.

Sophy Wackles

minor

Also known as Miss Sophy Wackles, Sophia Wackles, Miss Wackles

A young woman courted by Swiveller before his involvement with the Marchioness.

Mrs. Jiniwin

minor

Mrs. Quilp's mother, who dislikes her son-in-law and lives with them.

Isaac List

minor

Also known as old Isaac, Mr. List, Mr. Isaac List

A seedy moneylender and associate of Quilp.

Tom Scott

minor

Also known as Tom

Quilp's deformed, mute servant who assists his master's schemes.

Mrs. Nubbles

minor

Kit's widowed mother, a poor but loving parent.

Mr. Slum

minor

Also known as Slum

A poet who writes advertising verses for Mrs. Jarley's waxworks.

Miss Edwards

minor

A pupil at Miss Monflathers' school who shows kindness to Nell.

Jowl

minor

Also known as Mr. Jowl, Joe Jowl

A disreputable gambler and companion of Frederick Trent.

Jerry

minor

A showman who exhibits a performing dog and travels with Codlin and Short.

Mrs. George

minor

Also known as George

A landlady who provides lodging to Nell and her grandfather.

Mrs. Garland

minor

Abel Garland's wife, a kind and motherly figure.

Vuffin

minor

Also known as Mr. Vuffin

A showman who exhibits a giant and a dwarf at a fair.

Mr. Trent

major

Also known as Trent

Nell's grandfather, an old man obsessed with gambling to secure her future.

Jem Groves

minor

Also known as James Groves, Mr. Groves, Mr. James Groves

A publican and associate of Quilp's circle.

David

minor

Also known as Davy, old David

An elderly servant at the Garlands' home.

Cheggs

minor

Also known as Miss Cheggs, Poison Cheggs

A rival of Swiveller for Sophy Wackles' affections.

Becky Morgan

minor

Also known as Becky

Mrs. Quilp's servant, who gossips with her mistress.

Punch

minor

Also known as Mr. Punch

The puppet character in Codlin and Short's show.

Grinder

minor

Also known as Mr. Grinder

A showman who exhibits a performing dog.

Miss Jane Wackles

minor

One of Sophy Wackles' sisters.

Whisker

minor

A showman who exhibits a performing pony.

Old Luke Withers

minor

A former acquaintance of the schoolmaster, mentioned in passing.

Snobby

minor

Also known as young Snobby

A boy who works for the Garlands.

Sophronia Sphynx

minor

Also known as Sophronia

A friend of Sally Brass mentioned in the narrative.

Alick

minor

A servant at the Garlands' house.

Little Bethel

minor

A religious meeting place attended by Mrs. Nubbles.

Young Snob

minor

A boy who works for the Garlands.

Old Maunders

minor

Also known as Maunders

An old man who keeps a curiosity shop.

The Marquis of Mizzler

minor

Also known as Mizzler

A fictional nobleman referenced by Swiveller.

The Notary

minor

A legal professional who assists the Garlands.