A Little Princess characters

Appears from the start

A seven-year-old girl brought from India to Miss Minchin's London school while her father returns abroad. Sara is wealthy, imaginative, unusually composed, and fluent in French, but she is more interested in stories and kindness than in displaying her advantages. She privately tries to behave like a princess by remaining generous and courteous.

Appears from the start

Sara's young, affectionate father, a British army captain stationed in India. He has raised Sara alone since her mother's death and spends freely to make her comfortable at school, though both suffer at being separated.

Appears from the start

The head of the London seminary where Sara boards. Miss Minchin is formal, status-conscious, and eager to advertise her richest pupil. Sara's intelligence and self-possession unsettle her, and her deference is directed more toward Captain Crewe's money than toward the child herself.

Appears from the start

Miss Minchin's younger sister, who lives and works at the school. She is timid and accustomed to obeying her stronger-willed sister, but is less severe and sometimes recognizes Sara's good qualities.

Appears from the start

The oldest pupil at the school when Sara arrives. Lavinia is proud of her position and jealous of the attention given to the wealthy newcomer, so she watches for opportunities to challenge or belittle her.

First appears in chapter 3

A well-meaning pupil who struggles badly with lessons, especially French. Ermengarde is lonely and ashamed of disappointing her scholarly father. Sara's patience and ability to turn lessons into stories make her a devoted friend.

First appears in chapter 4

A very young boarding pupil whose mother has died. Lottie is spoiled, noisy, and prone to dramatic crying fits. Sara calms her through sympathy and imagination, and Lottie begins to regard Sara as an adopted mother.

First appears in chapter 5

The school's underservant, a hungry child who works long hours and is treated harshly by the cook. Sara first notices her resting secretly in a comfortable room and responds without contempt, beginning a friendship across the school's rigid social boundary.

First appears in chapter 9

A rat who lives with his family behind the walls of Sara's attic. Sara names and gradually befriends him, treating his presence as companionship rather than another hardship.

Also known as The Indian Gentleman

First appears in chapter 10

A sick and troubled man who moves into the house adjoining the school. He has returned from India and is pursuing a difficult search connected with the family of a dead friend, while poor health keeps him largely confined indoors.

First appears in chapter 10

Carrisford's energetic solicitor and confidant. Mr. Carmichael conducts inquiries for the invalid man and has a warm household of his own, whose comfort Sara observes from a distance.

First appears in chapter 11

Carrisford's Indian attendant, observant, agile, and devoted to his employer. From the neighboring roof he notices Sara in her bare attic and becomes interested in the contrast between her poverty and her imaginative dignity.

First appears in chapter 19

A hungry child Sara notices outside a bakery. Anne is even more desperate than Sara, and their meeting gives Sara an immediate chance to decide what generosity means when she has almost nothing herself.