Cat’s Eye Character Analysis

Elaine Risley

The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Elaine is the daughter of an entomologist who grows up in Toronto, Canada. She has a strong curiosity about the natural world and is a talented student of… read analysis of Elaine Risley

Cordelia

Elaine’s best friend and worst enemy, Cordelia is a young girl who moves into the neighborhood while Elaine and her family are away for the summer. At first, the reader sees Cordelia through Elaine’s… read analysis of Cordelia

Stephen Risley

Elaine’s older brother. As a child, he collects comic books and marbles and seems to have no trouble fitting in with the other boys. Rowdy, brave, and a brilliant student of math and science… read analysis of Stephen Risley

Elaine’s Father

Elaine’s father, whose name is never shared. He works as an entomologist researching spruce budworms, but he wanted to be a pilot during World War II—his research was deemed essential to the war effort… read analysis of Elaine’s Father

Elaine’s Mother

Elaine’s mother, whose name is never revealed. She is more reserved, and later in Elaine’s life it becomes clear that she knew about Cordelia’s bullying but never intervened at the time because she… read analysis of Elaine’s Mother

Grace Smeath

A childhood friend of Elaine’s, whose family lives nearby. Grace is one year older than Carol and Elaine, and before Cordelia joins their friend circle she leads the group. She is pale and wears… read analysis of Grace Smeath

Carol Campbell

The first friend that Elaine makes when her family moves to Toronto because she is the only other girl who rides the school bus. Judgmental and delicate, Carol does not like any activities deemed too… read analysis of Carol Campbell

Mrs. Smeath

Grace Smeath’s mother, a very religious and strict woman whom Elaine detests. Mrs. Smeath is extremely judgmental and narcissistic. She has big bones, and wears steel-rimmed glasses and print housedresses. She smiles, but she… read analysis of Mrs. Smeath

Jon

Elaine’s first husband, who also aspires to be a painter and artist. Unsuccessful in his artistic career, however, he takes on a job designing props for movie sets. He has frequent affairs and seems… read analysis of Jon

Ben

Elaine’s current husband, and the father of her daughter Anne. Ben works as a travel agent and can get easy trips for his family. He is portrayed as simple and old-fashioned—he meets Elaine… read analysis of Ben

Josef Hrbik

The teacher of Elaine’s Life Drawing class, with whom she eventually has an affair. He is in his thirties at the time, and an émigré from Hungary, where he allegedly left behind a wife… read analysis of Josef Hrbik

Susie

Another student in Elaine’s Life Drawing class who also has an affair with Mr. Hrbik. She falls deeply in love with him, but he does not seem to return her affections. She ends… read analysis of Susie

Cordelia’s Mother

Cordelia’s mother is the wife of a wealthy man. She arranges her own flowers and has a cleaning lady. She does seem to like Elaine, in contrast to Mrs. Smeath, but she partially… read analysis of Cordelia’s Mother

Miss Stuart

One of Elaine’s teachers, who has a Scottish accent and makes herself tea in the afternoons which she spikes with alcohol. Although she can be strict sometimes, she is the students’ favorite teacher. She… read analysis of Miss Stuart

Mr. Banerji

A scientist who stays with Elaine’s family for a period during her childhood, as he works with her father. Elaine identifies with him, because he appears anxious and persecuted to her. However, he… read analysis of Mr. Banerji

Mrs. Finestein

One of the neighbors when Elaine’s family moves to Toronto and the mother of Brian Finestein, whom Elaine briefly babysits. Mrs. Finestein is a stylish lady who supports and inspires Elaine. She is… read analysis of Mrs. Finestein

Minor Characters

Mrs. Campbell

Carol’s mother, who dresses in twin sets and sleeps in a different bed from her husband. She wears rubber gloves to wash the dishes, gets her hair done at a salon, and likes it when the kids stay out of sight.

Mr. Smeath

Grace Smeath’s father, who does not seem to take etiquette or religion as seriously as his wife does. His only appearances in the novel involve making jokes at the dinner table that his wife does not react well to.

Sarah

Elaine’s older daughter, whom she has with her first husband Jon. She appears to be more practical than her mother.

Anne

Elaine’s younger daughter, whom she has with her second husband Ben. She does not appear much in the novel but does seem to have a happier childhood than Elaine did.

Perdita (Perdie

) – Cordelia’s oldest sister, who enjoys ballet. She and Mirrie are best friends and do everything together, often excluding Cordelia.

Miranda (Mirrie)

Cordelia’s older sister, the middle child of the family. She plays viola. She is best friends with her sister Perdie and excludes Cordelia and her younger friends.

Miss Lumley

One of Elaine’s teachers, who is extremely strict and cruel. She loves the British Empire, and the girls like to picture her as wearing dark blue bloomers underneath her clothing. Images of her and those invisible bloomers haunt Elaine.

Charna

The organizer of the gallery Sub-Versions, which is showing Elaine’s retrospective. Charna is young and clearly very passionate about art. She also has very political ideas about art and interprets all of Elaine’s pieces as statements about gender, war, or society.

Andrea

A young woman who interviews Elaine. She is a feminist, and clearly sees Elaine as somewhat old-fashioned or out-of-date.

Aunt Mildred

Mrs. Smeath’s sister, who is similarly strict and religious. She seems to particularly dislike Elaine and see her as an irredeemable child from a family of heathens.

Brian Finestein

The child of Mrs. Finestein, whom Elaine gets paid to babysit for a short period of time before she becomes nervous that her friends will prompt her to do something horrible to him.

Jill

The first friend that Elaine makes when she ends her friendship with Cordelia, Grace, and Carol after nearly dying in the water under the bridge.

Babs

An older woman who also takes Life Drawing. She is best friends with Marjorie, and the two frequently gossip together.

Marjorie

An older woman who also takes Life Drawing. She is best friends with Babs, and the two frequently gossip together.

Jody

The woman who organizes the first exhibition that Elaine participates in.

Carolyn

One of the women who also participates in the first exhibition Elaine participates in.

Zillah

Another of the women who participates in the first exhibition Elaine participates in.

Cat’s Eye

Margaret Atwood

Cat’s Eye Characters