Frederick Clegg is a lonely and unattractive young man who works as a city clerk before winning the lottery. Although he becomes a member of the upper class overnight, Clegg feels that his newfound peers…
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Miranda Grey
Miranda is a beautiful young art student from an upper middle class family. Clegg stalks and eventually kidnaps her, keeping her prisoner in his cellar. Miranda’s perspective is given in the novel through a series…
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G.P.
G.P. is an artist in his 40s who Miranda falls in love with. His full name is George Paston. G.P. has strongly held feelings about art and politics, which impress Miranda. However, even he admits…
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Aunt Annie
Aunt Annie is Clegg’s aunt, who is largely responsible for raising him. Aunt Annie is a vaguely religious woman with a traditional sense of morality, and she instills her values in Clegg. Miranda partially…
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Minor Characters
Clegg’s Mother
Clegg’s mother left Clegg with Aunt Annie after Clegg’s father died in a drunk driving accident. There are rumors that she became a sex worker, though Clegg does not know for certain.
Clegg’s Father
Clegg’s father died in a drunk driving accident when Clegg was two years old.
Uncle Dick
Uncle Dick helped raise Clegg, though he died of a stroke when Clegg was 15. Clegg was fond of Uncle Dick because he took an interest in Clegg’s entomological pursuits.
Mr. Singleton
Mr. Singleton is the owner of the bank Miranda’s father uses. At first, Clegg lies and says he kidnapped Miranda because Mr. Singleton told him to.
Minny
Minny is Miranda’s sister. Miranda is fond of her and sometimes speaks directly to Minny in her journal entries.
Marian
Marian is a drugstore clerk who Clegg meets at the end of the novel. Clegg thinks of her as a potential replacement for Miranda.