Robin Vote
Robin is the main protagonist of Nightwood. She is a rather mystifying woman, one of clashing sides; for example, while she constantly wishes for security, she also is unable to remain chained down, chaotically moving about and soliciting others even while she already has a serious lover.
Dr. Matthew O'Conner
Dr. O'Conner is a peculiar man: a transsexual fake doctor who acts as the narrator of the novel through his talking to people who have had interactions with Robin. He often goes on philosophical ramblings, yet is a rather cynical character in his view of the world.
Nora Flood
Nora is Robin's second lover, a salon keeper from America. Although they got along very well and even moved to Paris together, Nora was unable to deal with Robin's constant wandering tendencies. After their breakup, Nora feels constantly dissatisfied with her life and becomes unable to settle down just like Robin.
Jenny Petherbridge
Jenny is Nora's third lover, a widow who has been married and divorced four times. Because of these multiple failures in love, she has lost all interest creating her own happiness; the only thing she enjoys is poaching it from others, stealing Robin from Nora for this reason. However, like Nora, she becomes strangely depressed after becoming involved with Robin, and Robin eventually discards her as well.