Major Barbara characters

Appears from the start

The estranged wife of Andrew Undershaft and forceful head of their household. Concerned about the futures and finances of her adult children, she decides that their wealthy father must be brought back into the family conversation despite years of separation.

Appears from the start

Lady Britomart and Andrew Undershaft's earnest adult son. His mother treats him as the household's nominal man while controlling their discussion, and she summons him to consider how his sisters and brother are to be supported.

Appears from the start

The daughter of Lady Britomart and Andrew Undershaft, and a major in the Salvation Army. Certain that every person can be brought to salvation, she works at a shelter in West Ham and welcomes the chance to show her long-absent father what her faith accomplishes.

Also known as Dolly

Appears from the start

A scholar of Greek and Barbara's fiancé. Clever, ironic, and fascinated by the power of belief, he supports Barbara's work while remaining intellectually curious about her father's very different creed.

Appears from the start

A younger daughter of Lady Britomart and Andrew Undershaft. She is engaged to Charles Lomax and joins the awkward family reunion when her father returns to the house.

Appears from the start

Sarah's wealthy but foolish fiancé. His casual remarks and limited tact add to the confusion when Andrew Undershaft tries to identify the grown children he has scarcely known.

Appears from the start

A wealthy arms manufacturer, estranged from Lady Britomart and largely unknown to their children. He regards poverty as the fundamental evil and believes that money and military power govern society more reliably than respectable ideals do.

First appears in chapter 2

An unemployed laborer at the Salvation Army shelter who resents being treated as morally inferior because he is poor. Unlike others seeking aid, he refuses to invent a conversion story merely to please the workers.

First appears in chapter 2

A poor woman seeking food and shelter who understands how to present herself to charitable workers. She helps expose the mixture of need, performance, and judgment surrounding the shelter's mission.

First appears in chapter 2

A shelter visitor who enthusiastically supplies a dramatic but unreliable account of his own wickedness and reform. His performance wins approval even though its sincerity is doubtful.

First appears in chapter 2

A young Salvation Army worker at the West Ham shelter. She responds gently when Bill Walker enters looking for another woman, even after his anger turns into physical violence against her.

First appears in chapter 2

A violent young man who comes to the shelter in pursuit of Mog Habbijam and lashes out at the women there. Barbara refuses to be intimidated and tries to awaken his conscience rather than answer violence with violence.

First appears in chapter 2

A senior Salvation Army commissioner seeking funds to keep the shelter open. Practical about the scale of the need, she is prepared to accept large donations despite objections to the donors' businesses.