Character guide for Esio Trot.
A gentle, kind, very shy retired man. His love for Mrs Silver is sincere but he lacks the courage to express it directly. His plan is elaborate but entirely motivated by love and a desire to make her happy.
A warm, cheerful woman who loves her tortoise Alfie more than anything. She is kind and good-natured, and falls in love with Mr Hoppy as he visits to check on 'Alfie's' progress.
The tortoise — or rather, a succession of increasingly larger tortoises. 'Alfie' represents Mrs Silver's love and capacity for devotion.