Arthur Kipps

Helen Walshingham

Arthur is infatuated with Helen, who represents social aspiration and sophistication, but their relationship is fraught with tension and mismatched expectations.

Ann Pornick

Ann is Arthur's childhood sweetheart and later his true love, representing genuine affection and simplicity against the pretensions of high society.

Chester Coote

Chester Coote acts as Arthur's social mentor, attempting to polish his manners and integrate him into upper-class society, often with condescension.

Harry Chitterlow

Harry Chitterlow is a boisterous playwright and friend who introduces Arthur to new social circles and encourages his theatrical ambitions.

Sid Pornick

Sid Pornick is Arthur's loyal childhood friend and later brother-in-law, providing grounded advice and support throughout Arthur's social ascent.

Mrs. Walshingham

Mrs. Walshingham is Helen's mother, who views Arthur primarily as a financial prospect for her daughter and treats him with calculated politeness.

Masterman

Masterman is an older, cynical socialist who befriends Arthur and offers sharp critiques of class society, influencing Arthur's worldview.

Buggins

Buggins is Arthur's colleague at Shalford's drapery shop, sharing the drudgery of lower-middle-class work life with him.

Mr. Shalford

Mr. Shalford is Arthur's employer at the drapery shop, a pompous and exploitative boss who treats his employees with disdain.

Pierce

Pierce is a fellow draper's assistant at Shalford's, a colleague who shares the mundane routines and frustrations of shop life.

Miss Coote

Miss Coote is Chester Coote's sister, a minor social acquaintance who participates in the efforts to refine Arthur's manners.

Carshot

Carshot is another colleague at Shalford's drapery, part of the group of assistants who share Arthur's working-class frustrations.

Kipps

The protagonist, a simple boy from New Romney, beginning his journey as a draper's apprentice.

Book I: The Making of Kipps

Introduced as a young boy in New Romney, later becomes a draper's apprentice.

I: The Little Shop at New Romney

Young Kipps, just finished school, experiences first romantic stirrings for Ann Pornick and prepares to leave for draper apprenticeship.

II: The Emporium

Begins his apprenticeship at Shalford's, enduring fines and harsh treatment, and starts to develop romantic interests and social aspirations.

III: The Woodcarving Class

Attends the woodcarving class, feels inferior and adores Helen Walshingham; dreams of becoming an author and seeks self-improvement.

IV: Chitterlow

Kipps is in a state of despondency over the loss of his woodcarving class and his relationship with Helen Walshingham. He is knocked down by Chitterlow's bicycle and later drinks whiskey with him, becoming increasingly engaged in Chitterlow's theatrical stories.

Swapped

Kipps is fired after his night out, struggles with his hangover and self-disgust, and experiences a painful farewell with Helen Walshingham.

The Unexpected

Kipps is the central figure, torn between hope and fear as he responds to an advertisement and later learns of his inheritance.

Book II: Mr. Coote, the Chaperon

Kipps is the central figure, navigating the challenges of his new social position under Coote's tutelage.

The New Conditions

Kipps confides in Coote about his struggles with wealth, temptation, and his desire for culture and refinement.

The Walshinghams

Visits the Cootes and Walshinghams, feels insecure about his social graces, and tries to educate himself with books on manners and conversation.

Engaged

Visits the Walshinghams to formalize his engagement; feels insecure about his social graces and seeks guidance from Helen and Coote.

IV: The Bicycle Manufacturer

Kipps visits New Romney in a hired motor car, attempting to announce his engagement to Helen but failing to find the right moment. He feels a sense of triumph but also awkwardness with his uncle and Sid.

V: The Pupil Lover

Kipps grapples with the social consequences of his engagement and enrichment, feeling the strain between his old life and new aspirations.

Discords

Torn between his gentlemanly aspirations and his feelings for Ann; struggles with social obligations imposed by Helen.

London

Flees to London to avoid social conflict, stays at the Royal Grand Hotel, and visits Masterman.

VIII: Kipps Enters Society

Attends the Anagram Tea, feeling anxious and out of place; later receives Ann's half sixpence, signaling the end of their connection.

IX: The Labyrinthodon

Flees to London with Ann, announces marriage, discusses future life with Ann, compares Coote to Labyrinthodon.

Book III: Kippses

Now married to Ann, Kipps continues to grapple with his social standing and the pressures of his inherited wealth.

I: The Housing Problem

Newly married, Kipps is anxious about social appearances and struggles with the housing search, eventually deciding to build a house despite his lack of experience.

II: The Callers

Feels remorse and social inadequacy after reading a novel that condemns marrying beneath one's class; broods over his house, his failed engagement to Helen, and his low marriage to Ann; quarrels with Ann over cards and buttered toast.

Terminations

Now a bookseller in Hythe, reflecting on his past and enjoying a quiet life with Ann.