Characters

The most important characters in the short story “Lispeth” by Rudyard Kipling are the main character Lispeth and the secondary characters of the Chaplain’s wife and the Englishman. The story also includes tertiary characters such as Lispeth’s parents, the Chaplain, and the local man Lispeth eventually marries.

Lispeth is the protagonist of the short story. She is the only character who is given a name and is portrayed both directly by the narrator and other characters, as well as indirectly through her thoughts and actions.

The Chaplain’s wife is not named, suggesting that her identity is defined by her status as the wife of a clergyman. Her British way of thinking is emphasised throughout the story.

The Englishman illustrates the stereotype of the English wanderer (or globetrotter) - someone who can afford to spend time travelling and being idle. For him, it is suggested seeing places is only a mere curiosity, something to write about in his books without any real reflections on the native people’s life or the impact of colonialism.

You can find their characterisation in what follows.