The Narrator: A young boy reflecting on the death of Father Flynn.

Father Flynn: A paralyzed priest whose death prompts the story’s events.

Old Cotter: A family friend who speaks cryptically about the priest.

Eliza and Nannie Flynn: The priest’s sisters, who mourn his passing.

"An Encounter"

The Narrator: A boy seeking adventure away from school.

Mahony: The narrator’s friend who joins him in skipping school.

The Old Man: A strange, unsettling figure they meet, hinting at pedophilic tendencies.

"Araby"

The Narrator: A boy infatuated with his friend’s older sister.

Mangan’s Sister: The object of the narrator’s affection, unnamed.

The Uncle: A somewhat unreliable figure who delays the boy’s trip to the bazaar.

"Eveline"

Eveline Hill: A young woman torn between staying in Dublin or leaving with her lover, Frank.

Frank: Eveline’s sailor boyfriend, offering her escape.

Eveline’s Father: An abusive figure from whom she seeks freedom.

"The Boarding House"

Mrs. Mooney: A determined landlady who manipulates her daughter’s suitor into marriage.

Polly Mooney: Her daughter, who becomes involved with Mr. Doran.

Bob Doran: A lodger pressured into proposing to Polly.

"A Little Cloud"

Little Chandler: A timid clerk who envies his friend Gallaher’s adventurous life.

Ignatius Gallaher: A successful journalist and old friend of Chandler.

"Counterparts"

Farrington: A frustrated clerk who takes out his anger on his family.

Mr. Alleyne: Farrington’s abrasive boss.

"The Dead" (the longest and most famous story)

Gabriel Conroy: A professor and the protagonist, who experiences an epiphany about life and love.

Gretta Conroy: Gabriel’s wife, whose memories of a past lover, Michael Furey, unsettle him.

Miss Kate and Miss Julia Morkan: Gabriel’s aunts, who host the Christmas party.

Michael Furey: Gretta’s deceased first love, a haunting presence in the story.