Kind and generous. Mentioned as having said goodbye to Rebecca and as the person whose gowns the groom believes Rebecca 'robbed' from the lady's maid.
Ambitious, observant, and adaptable; she is initially disappointed by the Baronet's lack of elegance but quickly begins to strategize her success. She travels from Russell Square to Great Gaunt Street, meets her new employer, and spends a night in a haunted-feeling bedroom before boarding a stagecoach.
Pompous, authoritative, and easily outmaneuvered by Rebecca's defiance. She is described in flashbacks as having been defeated by Rebecca's refusal to teach music and her use of French to mock her.
Cheerful and helpful servant. He delivers the 'death-warrant' note from Joseph to Amelia and is mentioned as being in love with the cook.
A wealthy, emotional, and generous parlour-boarder from St. Kitt's. She is devastated by Amelia's departure, falling into a fit of hysterical tears that requires medical attention.
Good-natured but socially conscious; she initially worries about Joseph marrying beneath his station. She is eventually persuaded to support the match but is later embarrassed and avoids Rebecca during the parting.
An envious pupil. Mentioned as someone who, despite her envy, never spoke ill of Amelia.
Grinning and sulky. He identifies Sir Pitt to the stagecoach driver and helps load the baggage.
Arrogant, class-conscious, and free-handed; he possesses a 'proper pride' regarding his social station. He protects Amelia at Vauxhall but actively sabotages Rebecca's chances with Joseph because he considers her an 'upstart' and a 'nobody.'
Miserly, vulgar, litigious, and unrefined; he dresses shabbily and speaks with a coarse Hampshire accent despite his high social rank. He receives Rebecca at his London house, eats a frugal meal of tripe with the charwoman, and travels with Rebecca toward Hampshire.
Unselfish, modest, and protective; he finds joy in the happiness of his friends rather than his own interests. He acts as the 'shawl-bearer' and payer for the party at Vauxhall, later rescuing the intoxicated Joseph and tending to him during his hangover.
Deceased second wife. Mentioned as the mother of the two daughters Rebecca is to teach.
Reflective, melancholy, and observant; he serves as the narrator/presenter of the story. He sits before the curtain, observes the fair, and introduces the puppets and the moral tone of the performance to the audience.
A weary performer and family man who works as a tumbler. He is seen washing off his face paint and eating dinner with his family behind the scenes.
A child performer belonging to a family of tumblers. He sits behind the canvas with Tom Fool during dinner.
Described as uncommonly flexible in the joints and lively on the wire. Mentioned by the Manager as one of the lead puppets in the upcoming show.
Carved and dressed with great care, though she has a smaller circle of admirers than Becky. Mentioned by the Manager as a carefully crafted figure in the performance.
A richly dressed figure representing high-status villainy. Mentioned as a character who will be taken away by Old Nick at the end of the play.
A figure representing the devil or a collector of souls. Mentioned as the one who will fetch away the Wicked Nobleman.
Good-humored, foolishly kind, and generous. She is mentioned as the target of Rebecca's mockery despite her previous kindness.
A young orphan student who is deeply attached to Amelia. She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in her letters.
A high-born but somewhat shabby and haughty student. She asks Amelia to send letters to her via her grandfather to save on postage.
A famous historical figure whose past visit to the school is the source of Miss Pinkerton's prestige. Mentioned as the author of the dictionary and the school's patron spirit.
A clever, dissolute artist, prone to drunkenness and debt. Described in backstory as the man who taught Rebecca her wit and social survival skills before dying of delirium tremens.
A French opera dancer of humble origins. Mentioned as the source of Rebecca's French fluency and the subject of Rebecca's lies about noble Gascon ancestry.
Infatuated and easily led. Mentioned in a backstory regarding a scandalous intercepted note he sent to Rebecca.
A member of the service in India. Mentioned by Joseph as an excuse to leave the house and avoid the ladies.
A magistrate at Budgebudge and a friend of Joseph. Mentioned in Joseph's story about a past romantic pursuit in India.
Observant and protective of the family; she harbors a deep distrust of governesses. She gossips about the potential marriage and later informs Amelia of Rebecca's suspicious behavior, such as reading private letters.
The family apothecary. Mentioned as attending to Joseph's severe hangover.
A dashing, athletic, and arrogant school bully who is talented in Latin and French but uses his status to tyrannize younger boys. He bullies George Osborne and is subsequently defeated by Dobbin in a thirteen-round boxing match, later showing magnanimity by taking the blame.
The headmaster of the academy, described as somewhat intimidated by his top students. He presides over the school and awards Dobbin a prize-book for his academic progress.
Socially active wife of the Alderman. Mentioned by Mrs. Sedley as being at Highbury with her daughters.
Solemn, correct, and grave; possesses the 'gravity of an undertaker.' He attends to the hungover Joseph and reports his master's wild behavior to George Osborne.
Observant servant. Mentioned by Mrs. Blenkinsop as having seen Rebecca snooping through drawers.
A well-known, simple-minded figure at Vauxhall. Mentioned as the presiding spirit of Vauxhall Gardens.
A singer. Mentioned as performing a cantata at the gardens.
Sullen, blunt, and accustomed to the Baronet's miserly ways; she acts as a servant and temporary companion to Sir Pitt. She fetches tobacco for Sir Pitt, shares a meal with him, and chaperones Rebecca during her night in London.
A former Baronet involved in political peculation. Mentioned in the family history; his marble bust is seen in the dining room.
The large, gloomy, and respectable residence of Mr. Osborne, filled with expensive plate and mournful echoes.
A gloomy London street characterized by tall houses with hatchments, where death seems to reign perpetual.
The family estate of the Crawleys, featuring an old library filled with 18th-century literature and extensive grounds including shrubberies and farms.