Mr. Chips

His full name is Mr. Chipping, but he is more commonly referred to as Mr. Chips or just Chips. At the story's start, Mr. Chips is an eighty-five-year-old man who passes his days pursuing small amusements and thinking back on his life. He was a teacher of the classics but now loves reading detective novels. However, even after retirement, he doesn't separate himself from his school, Brookfield.

He enjoys hosting tea for the new schoolboys and attending assemblies too much to leave it entirely. His students come to know him as a "jester" and a "legend." His good humor and popularity are attributed to his late wife, Katherine Bridges, 's influence on him. After their marriage, Mr. Chips becomes an open-minded, introspective individual in the sense that "the strange randomness of the world beguiled him." He reflects on everything around him.

The recounting of Mr. Chips's life establishes him as a round character that experiences a lot of change. The story ends with his death and proof of his impact on the people around him.

Mrs. Wickett

Mrs. Wickett is Mr. Chips's landlady at Greenwich. She is a kind lady who looks after Mr. Chips and serves the dinners he hosts with the schoolboys. She had previously worked at Brookfield in the linen room during a period in which Mr. Chips was teaching. She is the one that sends for Doctor Merivale and is with Mr. Chips when he dies.

Doctor Merivale

Merivale visits Mr. Chips once every two weeks. He tells Mr. Chips that he is in good condition and could live forever, but he also reminds Mrs. Wickett to keep a good eye on him. He is present for Mr. Chips's death.

Katherine Bridges

Katherine is a New Woman with modern ideas that challenge traditional values, especially those held by Mr. Chips. Previously a governess, Katherine meets Mr. Chips while rock climbing. When he injures himself, she takes it upon herself to help him. She even rides her bicycle to check on him, an activity Mr. Chips disapproves of.

Katherine is described as "young and lovely." During her time at Brookfield as Mr. Chips's wife, she is admired by everyone. Many of her ideas are implemented, resulting in a modernized and more accepting school. She is also the most influential person in Mr. Chips's own life. Despite all the good she does, after her death, the school quickly forgets that she was ever married to Mr. Chips.

Wetherby

Wetherby is the Head of Brookfield when Mr. Chips interviews for a teaching position. He is recognized for having restored Brookfield after the Napoleonic Wars. Wetherby is an old man that young Mr. Chips admires, but he dies before Mr. Chips's first term of teaching begins.

Ralston

Ralston is the headmaster with—arguably—the most prominence in this story. This is likely because Ralston is the only headmaster who does not get along with Mr. Chips. He is cold, severe, and demands subordination from his staff. He is respected only because of the fear he instills in everyone except Mr. Chips. It is because of Mr. Chips's stubborn unwillingness to obey Ralston that the two men clash. In the end, Ralston does not have enough support and resigns. To his credit, however, Ralston's ambition is successful in promoting Brookfield and accumulating a waiting list of students.

Linford

Linford is a schoolboy at Brookfield who meets Mr. Chips the day before he dies. Linford is new at the school and spends most of the term in the sanatorium being treated for measles. Because of his newness and resulting vulnerability, his peers...