A Little Princess: An Enchanting Coming-of-Age Novel characters

Appears from the start

A clever, imaginative seven-year-old brought from India to Miss Minchin's London school while her widowed father returns abroad. Sara has been raised in comfort but dislikes being valued for money. She treats stories and make-believe as ways to understand people, and she is determined to behave with dignity and kindness.

Appears from the start

Sara's affectionate father, a wealthy young army captain who has raised her alone since her mother's death. He and Sara are deeply attached, and leaving her at school causes both of them pain.

Appears from the start

The head of the London school where Captain Crewe leaves Sara. Miss Minchin is outwardly attentive to her wealthy new pupil and enjoys the prestige Sara brings, but her warmth is formal and closely tied to status.

Appears from the start

Miss Minchin's gentler sister and assistant at the school. She is easily flustered and usually yields to her sister's stronger will.

Appears from the start

Sara's French maid, who accompanies her to school and is delighted to discover that Sara already speaks fluent French.

First appears in chapter 2

An older pupil who resents Sara's special treatment and social position. Lavinia is proud of having been the school's leading student before Sara arrived and often tries to expose what she sees as Sara's pretensions.

First appears in chapter 3

A kind, insecure pupil who struggles badly with her lessons and is accustomed to being mocked for it. Sara befriends her and uses stories to make difficult schoolwork easier to grasp.

First appears in chapter 4

The youngest child at the school, a motherless four-year-old prone to loud tantrums. Sara calms her with sympathy rather than punishment, and Lottie begins to treat Sara as a substitute mother.

First appears in chapter 5

A hungry, exhausted scullery maid at Miss Minchin's school. Becky works from before dawn until late at night and sleeps in the attic, but Sara speaks to her as an equal and shares both food and stories with her.

First appears in chapter 7

The solicitor who arrives during Sara's birthday celebration with news about Captain Crewe's affairs. Brusque and concerned with unpaid bills, he informs Miss Minchin that the expected fortune has been lost.

First appears in chapter 9

A rat living in the attic walls. Sara names him Melchisedec and gradually earns his trust with crumbs, making him part of the imaginary household that helps her endure isolation.

Also known as the Indian Gentleman

First appears in chapter 10

An ailing Englishman recently returned from India who moves into the house adjoining the school. He is burdened by the disappearance of his late business partner's daughter and has asked friends to search for her.

First appears in chapter 11

An Indian servant in Mr. Carrisford's household. From the neighboring roof he notices Sara in the attic and understands that her bare room and thin clothes conceal a lively imagination and severe hardship.

First appears in chapter 11

Mr. Carrisford's solicitor and trusted friend, who has been traveling in search of Captain Crewe's missing daughter. His warm family life briefly intersects with Sara when one of his children sees her in the street.