J.
The narrator of the novel, most likely based on Jerome himself. J. has a dog named Montmorency, and two friends, George and Harris. He sees himself as intelligent, hard-working, and competent, but his behavior in the novel suggests otherwise. Like his friends, J. is a hypochondriac.
George
A good-natured banker, and one of J.'s best friends. Of the three men, he is portrayed as the only one who is seriously dedicated to his job. He brings a banjo on the boat trip and tries to learn how to play it.
Harris
A friend of George and J., who joins them on the trip. Although the novel's flashbacks suggest that J. and Harris (full name William Samuel Harris) have known each other for a long time, J. actually dislikes Harris a great deal. He constantly criticizes Harris for being lazy and uncultured, and writes that "there is no poetry about Harris – no wild yearning for the unattainable" (18).
Montmorency
J.'s lively, belligerent fox terrier. He enjoys both fighting with other dogs and hunting.
Mrs. Poppets
J.'s landlady.
Uncle Podger
J.'s accident-prone uncle, who is deceased. J. compares Harris to Uncle Podger because both of them have difficulty performing basic tasks without making mistakes.
Tom
J.'s friend, who asked him to transport some cheese.
Biggs
The local greengrocer in London. He has a tendency to hire lazy and unpleasant errand-boys.
Mrs. Gippings
George's former landlady, who despises his banjo playing.
Hector
J.'s friend, with whom he once went sailing.
Tom's wife
Tom's wife demands that Tom get rid of the cheese that J. brings home for them.
Stivvings
J.'s former classmate, who was dedicated to his studies but was often too sick to complete his work.
