Francis Macomber
A wealthy sportsman and versatile athlete. When he encounters his first lion, he doesn’t shoot: He runs. To himself, he seems a coward, but the next day, he demonstrates his bravery but is killed at the moment of his triumph.
Margaret Macomber (“Margot”)
Francis’ beautiful, domineering wife. She refuses to divorce him because of his money, but he cannot divorce her because of her beauty. Margot is delighted when Francis runs from the lion; this gives her more psychological control over him.
Robert Wilson
The guide for the Macombers on this safari, he is the essence of the Hemingway code character. He does not follow the laws and rules of society; instead, he has his own code of conduct, to which he rigidly conforms.
The Beaters
African natives who beat the grass to flush wild game into the open.
Kongoni and Abdulla
The gun-bearers: natives who accompany the hunters and track down the wounded animals. When Macomber is carried triumphantly on the arms and shoulders of the cook, the personal boys, the skinner and the porters, the gun bearers do not take part because they witnessed Macomber’s cowardly flight from the lion.
