Caleb Williams Character Analysis

Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams, the novel’s titular protagonist and narrator, is an orphaned young man from a peasant family who becomes the secretary of Ferdinando Falkland, a wealthy and respected country squire. Inquisitive and observant, Caleb… read analysis of Caleb Williams

Ferdinando Falkland

Ferdinando Falkland is a wealthy country squire who, at the beginning of the story, employs Caleb Williams as his secretary. Falkland is benevolent, considerate, and well-respected by his servants, but he’s also reclusive and prone… read analysis of Ferdinando Falkland

Barnabas Tyrrel

Barnabas Tyrrel is a country squire and Ferdinando Falkland’s neighbor. In status, Tyrrel is a gentleman, but in personality he’s aggressive, domineering, crass, and short-tempered. He demands respect through fear and intimidation, and he… read analysis of Barnabas Tyrrel

Benjamin Hawkins

Benjamin Hawkins is an honest, hardworking farmer who rents land from Barnabas Tyrrel. He’s fond of his eldest son, Leonard, so he refuses to give Leonard up to become Tyrrel’s servant. As a… read analysis of Benjamin Hawkins

Emily Melvile

Emily Melvile is Barnabas Tyrrel’s 17-year-old cousin. Because she’s an orphan, she lives under Tyrrel’s care in his manor with her governess, Mrs. Jakeman. Emily’s situation is precarious—she has no money of her… read analysis of Emily Melvile

Mr. Raymond

Mr. Raymond is the captain of a band of thieves. Out of compassion, he gives Caleb refuge after Caleb escapes from prison, and he grants Caleb his protection as a friend and benefactor. Raymond lives… read analysis of Mr. Raymond

Valentine Forester

Mr. Forester is Ferdinando Falkland’s elder half-brother. During a visit to Falkland’s manor, Forester befriends Caleb. He also promises to grant Caleb his protection if he should ever need it. But Forester loses… read analysis of Valentine Forester

Jones

Jones is a violent, self-serving, and unprincipled thief who initially belongs to Mr. Raymond’s gang. Jones attacks Caleb after Caleb escapes from prison, for which Raymond expels him from the thieves’ society. On his… read analysis of Jones

Mr. Collins

Mr. Collins is Ferdinando Falkland’s steward. He recommended Caleb to Falkland’s service when Caleb was young, and now Caleb considers him a respectable and trustworthy father figure. However, a rift grows between Collins and… read analysis of Mr. Collins

Thomas

Thomas works as one of Ferdinando Falkland’s footmen. After Falkland accuses his secretary, Caleb Williams, of theft, Thomas treats Caleb with contempt, believing his fellow servant is a vile criminal. However, when Thomas… read analysis of Thomas

Mr. Clare

Mr. Clare is a celebrated poet who lives among the rural gentry in the same county where Ferdinando Falkland and Barnabas Tyrrel reside. Clare is widely respected for his intelligence, humility, and virtue. He and… read analysis of Mr. Clare

Leonard Hawkins

Leonard is the 17-year-old son of Benjamin Hawkins, one of Tyrrel’s tenant farmers. For petty revenge, Tyrrel charges Leonard with burglary, so Leonard is imprisoned in the county jail. He escapes and goes… read analysis of Leonard Hawkins

Grimes

Grimes is a farmer who lives on Tyrrel’s land. He’s 20 years old, ugly, and rough-mannered. Tyrrel tries to force his young cousin Emily to marry Grimes. When she refuses, Grimes tricks Emily into… read analysis of Grimes

Minor Characters

Mrs. Marney

Mrs. Marney, a friendly middle-aged woman, is one of Caleb’s neighbors in the first apartment he rents in London. Mrs. Marney is kind and doesn’t ask too many questions about Caleb. She helps him make a living by selling his writing for him to newspapers and magazines.

Mr. Spurrel

Mr. Spurrel is an old watchmaker who resides in London. He lives in an apartment in the same building where Caleb briefly rents a room while he’s on the run. Mr. Spurrel gives Caleb work but soon betrays him to Jones, who’s hunting Caleb.

Mrs. Hammond

Mrs. Hammond is Mrs. Jakeman’s sister. She takes care of Emily Melvile after Emily runs away from her cousin Tyrrel’s manor. She also informs Tyrrel of Emily’s death after Emily dies in the county jail where Tyrrel had her imprisoned.

Mrs. Jakeman

Mrs. Jakeman is Barnabas Tyrrel’s housekeeper and Emily Melvile’s governess. She is Emily’s closest companion, and Emily views her as a mother. Wary of Tyrrel’s violent temper, Mrs. Jakeman tries her best to protect Emily from hardship.

Caleb Williams Characters