Lily Bart A physically beautiful woman of fading youth and frivolous nature. An orphan, she is taken in by the least wealthy of her relatives, Mrs. Peniston. Raised by her mother to believe that her beauty would restore wealth to her family, Lily has learned no practical skills nor developed any of her innate talents. Instead, she shows a knack for putting herself into morally and socially compromising situations, as well as being unlucky in cards and financial matters. Despite such personality drawbacks, however, Lily adheres to a strict code of behavior that prohibits her bettering her own situation at the expense of another.
Lawrence Selden A middle-class attorney who outwardly loathes the upper class but secretly aspires to belong to them. Selden realizes that his income is not sufficient to realize his dreams of marrying Lily, but he eventually proposes to her anyway. His fear of the judgment of the wealthy social class that has outcast Lily causes him to convince himself that he no longer loves her. When he realizes that he does indeed still love her, it is too late.
Gerty Farish Selden's cousin, a pure-hearted young woman who labors for a living and does charity work in her spare time. Possessing neither physical beauty nor money, she secretly harbors a love for Selden while remaining loyal and steadfast in her assistance to Lily.
Carry Fisher A twice-divorced woman with a young child who assists the newly rich to find their place in society by instructing them in manners and customs, as well as introducing them to a select group of the wealthy social class. She also assists Lily when the latter needs work and financial assistance.
Bertha Dorset A cold-hearted, conniving woman who cuckolds her husband, George Dorset, and sabotages Lily's marital opportunities with Percy Gryce. She later uses Lily's unaccompanied late-night return to the Dorsets' yacht with Dorset as a device to cover her own indiscretion with Ned Silverton. Lily possesses letters written by Bertha to Selden, but refuses to use them against either of the pair.
George Dorset Bertha's husband, a cuckold who is smitten with Lily. Lily, however, refuses to consider Dorset a potential candidate for marriage, as such an action would validate Bertha's lies about her.
