Main Characters:
* Kelvey Family:
* The Kelvey Children: These are the central focus of the story. They are described as being poor and "common," and their family life is shown to be quite harsh.
* The Kelvey Parents: We don't get specific names for the Kelvey parents. They are depicted as cold, judgmental, and indifferent to their children's feelings. The father is described as a "gruff, heavy man" and the mother as "harsh."
* Burnell Family:
* The Burnell Children: The Burnell children are more privileged than the Kelvey children. They are considered "nice" and "well-brought up."
* The Burnell Parents: Their parents are not fully characterized, but we know that they are generally kind and "nice" people. They are the owners of the doll's house.
* "The Others":
* The Kelveys' Friend: An unnamed friend of the Kelvey children. She is also poor and ostracized by the Burnell children.
* The Other Children: These are the other children in the neighborhood, who mostly follow the lead of the Burnell children.
Relationships:
* The Kelvey Children and the Burnell Children: The Burnell children are initially friendly with the Kelvey children, even going so far as to allow them to look at their prized doll's house. However, this friendship is short-lived, and the Burnell children quickly ostracize the Kelvey children under the influence of their parents and other children in the neighborhood.
* The Kelvey Family: The Kelvey family is depicted as dysfunctional. There is little warmth or affection between the children and parents, and the parents are shown to be harsh and dismissive of their children's feelings.
* The Burnell Family: While they are presented as more "respectable" than the Kelvey family, the Burnell children's actions towards the Kelvey children are ultimately unkind and indicative of a shallow sense of community. The Burnell parents are not shown as actively cruel, but they are complicit in the ostracization of the Kelvey children by their inaction and approval of the behavior of the other children.
Important Note:
The story is primarily told from the perspective of the Kelvey children, focusing on their feelings of isolation and exclusion. The dynamics between the two families highlight the social divisions and prejudices of the time, and the impact they have on the lives of children.