We Need to Talk About Kevin Character Analysis

Eva Khatchadourian

Eva is Kevin and Celia’s mother, Franklin’s wife, and Sonya’s daughter. She is the protagonist, and the novel is composed of her letters to her deceased husband, Franklin. Eva is very proud… read analysis of Eva Khatchadourian

Kevin Khatchadourian

Kevin is Eva and Franklin’s son, Celia’s sister, and the antagonist of the novel. Kevin is difficult to care for as an infant because he screams constantly and doesn’t sleep well. He starts… read analysis of Kevin Khatchadourian

Franklin Plaskett

Franklin is Eva’s husband and Kevin and Celia’s father. Franklin and Eva have a loving relationship at first, though Franklin lacks trust in Eva because she leaves the country for long periods of… read analysis of Franklin Plaskett

Celia Plaskett

Celia is Eva and Franklin’s daughter and Kevin’s sister. She is eight years younger than Kevin. Celia is the opposite of Kevin in every way—she is optimistic, sensitive, and eager to please. In… read analysis of Celia Plaskett

Mary Woolford

Mary Woolford is the mother of Laura Woolford—one of Kevin’s victims. She first approaches Kevin’s family to report that Kevin has been calling Laura fat in school even though Laura is anorexic. After Laura… read analysis of Mary Woolford

Siobhan

Siobhan is Kevin’s nanny for about a year when he is an infant. Siobhan is a diligent caretaker, and she becomes a friend to Eva and Franklin. Eventually, Siobhan becomes fed up with… read analysis of Siobhan

Loretta Greenleaf

Loretta is the mother of an inmate at Kevin’s prison. She meets Eva in the waiting room one day, and Loretta tells Eva not to blame herself for her son’s murders. She says that… read analysis of Loretta Greenleaf

Minor Characters

Sonya

Sonya is Eva’s mother. Her husband was killed in World War II while she was pregnant with Eva, and much of her extended family was killed in the Armenian Genocide. Sonya is agoraphobic and reclusive. Sonya becomes closer to Eva after hearing about Kevin’s murders.

Thelma Corbitt

Thelma is the mother of Denny, one of Kevin’s victims. Thelma’s attitude toward Eva is the opposite of Mary Woolford’s—Thelma empathizes with Eva and doesn’t hold any anger toward her. She invites Eva to Denny’s funeral.