Character guide

Dorothy

major

Also known as hers, herself

Dorothy tags along on Lorelei's European adventures, meeting gentlemen on decks and deflating Lady Francis Beekman with a single well-aimed retort. Where Lorelei calculates, Dorothy shrugs — she'd rather lunch with a penniless intellectual like Mr. Mencken than accept gifts from a wealthy film man. Her refusal to play the game makes her both a liability and a foil, showing what Lorelei might be if she cared less about getting ahead.

Mr. Eisman

supporting

Also known as himself

Mr. Eisman shuttles between button factories and the Ritz, treating Lorelei's self-improvement as a serious project while his wife waits at home. He's generous but possessive, happiest when she's dancing only with him, and genuinely eager to meet famous writers like Mr. Lamson. His telegram dispatching the girls to Vienna sets the whole Central European journey in motion, and his button-profession pragmatism anchors Lorelei's glittering world in commerce.

Mr. Spoffard

supporting

Also known as the famous Mr. Spoffard, himself

Mr. Spoffard pays calls on Lorelei's compartment and speaks at length about his mother, whose fine old family required a special school to keep things easy on her brain. He's earnest, devoted, and slightly absurd, and his attentions flatter Lorelei precisely because meeting a gentleman's mother is her idea of a milestone. Dorothy's mockery of Miss Chapman and the ice man rolls right off him, but his arrival signals that Lorelei's ambitions are shifting from shopping to something more permanent.

Henry Spoffard

major

Also known as Harry, Henry, the famous Henry H. Spoffard, himself

Henry Spoffard enters Lorelei's orbit as a man of reputation and reformist zeal, the kind of gentleman whose mother matters and whose name opens doors. On the voyage home, Lorelei spends the crossing deciding whether she really wants to marry him, torn between the security he represents and the life she'd have to give up. His fame and his principles make him both a prize and a puzzle, and his presence pushes the diary toward its central question of what a girl like Lorelei actually wants.

Mr. Gilbertson Montrose

minor

Also known as Mr. Montrose, himself

A British gentleman who interacts with the narrator in London.

Mr. Gerald Lamson

supporting

Also known as Mr. Lamson, Gerry, Gerald Lamson, Gerald, himself

Mr. Lamson is the famous author Mr. Eisman has always wanted to meet, and when Lorelei introduces them, she's careful to let Eisman think her interest is purely literary. She calls him Gerry, nurses a quiet crush, and promises to let him read her diary once they know each other better. His presence complicates the triangle of Eisman's money and Lorelei's ambitions, offering a different kind of attention — intellectual, romantic, and dangerously flattering.

Louie

minor

Also known as himself, your

A character associated with the narrator's circle, possibly a servant or friend.

Lady Francis Beekman

minor

A titled Englishwoman who hosts social events.

Mrs. Henry Spoffard Jr.

minor

Also known as Henry, himself, your

Henry Spoffard's mother, a formidable presence in his life.

Mr. Bartlett

minor

A businessman or acquaintance encountered during the travels.

Miss Chapman

minor

Also known as herself

A woman who travels with or meets the narrator.

Major Falcon

minor

Also known as So Major Falcon

A military man who appears in social settings.

Lulu

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Robber

minor

Also known as himself, Your

A thief who interacts with the narrator during her travels.

Sir Francis Beekman

minor

Husband of Lady Francis Beekman, a titled gentleman.

Mons. Broussard

minor

Also known as Broussard, Mons

A French character encountered in Paris.

Papa

minor

Also known as Mama, Mama love Papa

The narrator's father, mentioned in family context.

Gus Eisman

minor

Also known as Gus Eisman the Button King, Gus

A wealthy industrialist, possibly related to Mr. Eisman.

Piggie

minor

A friend or acquaintance of the narrator, often mentioned in social contexts.

Willie Gwynn

minor

Also known as Willie, Fred

A young man who socializes with the narrator.

Joe Sanguinetti

minor

Also known as Joe, himself

An acquaintance of the narrator, possibly a businessman.

Dr. Froyd

minor

A doctor consulted by the narrator, possibly a parody of Freud.

Coocoo

minor

A minor character, possibly a pet or nickname.

Fanny Ward

minor

Also known as Fanny

An actress or socialite mentioned in the narrative.

Lady Shelton

minor

A titled woman in the social circle.

Kiki

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend or entertainer.

Judge Schultzmeyer

minor

A judge encountered during legal matters.

Sam

minor

Also known as Uncle Sam

A personification of the United States, mentioned in passing.

Mrs. Weeks

minor

A minor character, possibly a landlady or acquaintance.

Mr. Jennings

minor

A minor character, possibly a business associate.

the judge

minor

Also known as the Judge

An unnamed judge presiding over a legal matter.

Dolly Madison

minor

Historical figure referenced as a comparison.

Coty

minor

Also known as Mr. Coty

A perfumer mentioned in the narrative.

Mr. Blank

minor

A placeholder name for an unnamed character.

Count Salm

minor

A European count encountered during travels.

Mr. D. W. Griffith

minor

Also known as Mr. Griffith

Famous film director mentioned in passing.

Mr. Mountginz

minor

A minor character, possibly a social acquaintance.

Judge Hibbard

minor

A judge mentioned in legal proceedings.

Rudolf Valentino

minor

Also known as Rudolf

Famous actor referenced as a cultural touchstone.

Mr. Chaplin

minor

Charlie Chaplin, mentioned as a celebrity.

Mr. Cellini

minor

A reference to the Renaissance artist, used as a comparison.

King Edward

minor

Historical king mentioned in social context.

Piggy

minor

Alternate spelling or variant of Piggie.

Mrs. Nash

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or neighbor.

Peggy Hopkins Joyce

minor

Also known as Joy

A real-life socialite and actress referenced in the book.