Robin Swift
Robin Swift is the main character of the novel. It begins with him being saved and taken from his home in Canton by Professor Lovell, who wants to make him a part of the Translation Institute in Babel in Oxford.
From the very beginning, there are suspicions raised that Robin is only half Chinese, and his father is, in fact, Professor Lovell. He has striking similarities with the professor, and his colleagues notice that too.
Robin decides to never ask Professor Lovell directly and just focuses on his studies for Babel. At Oxford as well, Robin passes off as white in many instances because of his ambiguous appearance.
The novel shows Robin as a conflicted character, who is struggling to find his place in the world. He loves Oxford and Babel, but after learning about the corruption and their plans to attack and exploit Canton, he begins to grow hatred for everything the Institution stands for.
Ramy Mirza
Ramy Mirza is a Muslim Indian from Calcutta, who was brought to Oxford and Babel for the same reason Robin was: his native language is precious to Babel for the silver bar making.
Ramy learned immediately that the way to adapt to English society was to confirm every fantasy they have about his heritage. At times, he is a prince, other times a merchant. Whatever the people he meets expect him to be, he transforms himself into that expectation.
On the other hand, he has no expectations that he will ever be accepted by the English as one of their own, solely because of the color of his skin. He is adamant in challenging Letty about her naïve and stereotypical worldview and doesn’t fail to have sarcastic remarks in every situation.
Letty
Letty is a white woman, an admiral’s daughter who fought her way into Babel with dedicated studying. She considers herself to be extremely lucky to be in the Translation institute as a woman. Letty has a stereotypical shielded worldview. She tries to empathize with the situation of her peers but doesn’t have the capacity to fully understand their situation, which is why betrayal comes naturally to her in the end.
Victoire
Victoire is a Black woman who lived with a white family in France, as their unpaid servant, until she had the chance to enter Babel. Her family comes from Haiti, and she specializes in Kreole. She is “best friends” with Letty, and has a passive nature. It is revealed at the end, that the friendship was a toxic one, and lasted only because Victoire chose to turn a blind eye to Letty’s insensitive remarks and refusal to see that they are not treated equally.
