Tonio Kroger
Tonio Kroger is a pensive, melancholic, self-absorbed boy, who stands out among the noisy, mischievous and rustic peers; life seems to him immeasurably complex, and he enters into it with cautious caution. His own world, filling the soul with delight and with a sense of beauty, is a world of violin, selected books - the greatest creations of the human spirit, and a secret poem. He likes books, and writes poems, but is in a constant search for the meaning of art, and finally he finds it in life itself.
Hans Hansen
Hans Hansen is Tonio's classmate. Tonio is in love with him, and admires him a lot. But Hans is a complete opposite of Tonio, he likes horse riding, and attends classes of riding. On the contrary of Tonio, Hans does not build “air castles”, and lives a life like thousands of other people.
Consul Kroger
Consul Kroger is Tonio’s father. He is rich, famous and respected. In his relationships with son the consul is strict and wants his son to be a sober person as he is himself. But he was not destined to see it as the family has declined and he died right after his mother’s death.
Consuelo Kroger
Consuelo Kroger is Tonio’s mother. She is nothing like her husband, she is romantic, dreaming and likes music. After her husband’s death she marries a second time and leaves for some southern country.
Irwin Immertha
Irwin Immerthal is a friend of Hans. Tonio does not like this boy, but observes that he has some influence on Hans, and in his presence Hans behaves differently. Irwin is also fond of horses, and attends the same classes as Hans.
Ingeborn Holm
Ingeborn Holm is a girl Tonio is in love with. But Inge does not feel it back, she does not even notice his existence. They have attended the same dance classes. In thirteen years she will marry Hans.
Magdalena Vermehren
Magdalena Vermehren is a girl who loves Tonio, but Tonio does not feel it back. He prefers to catch rare moments of his lover than to bear frequent moments with a one he does not love.
Herr Knaak
Herr Knaak is a teacher of dances. He is French and a rather strict teacher.
Lisabeta Ivanovna
Lisabeta Ivanovna is a friend of Tonio. He likes to talk to her about art and literature. She is also fond of these talks. She is a painter and very often sees Tonio in her atelier.