What kind of person is Mr. Mell? What kind of person is Steerforth? What kind of person is Mr. Creakle? What can you tell about their characters just from their names?

Steerforth

A classmate of David's at Salem House. James Steerforth is a haughty, cocky boy consumed with his upper-class status. He receives much admiration from David because of his class and confidence.

Mr Mell is a kindly, intelligent, poor man. He is mistreated because of his status, and the fatherly man loses his position because of Steerforth's actions.

Mr Creakle is a sadistic tormenter. Dicken's purpose for Creakle in the novel is to portray the abuse in boarding schools by those with power.