The BFG has a small but wonderfully drawn cast of characters. The central relationship between Sophie and the BFG is one of the most heartwarming in all of Dahl’s work.
Sophie is a brave, sensible and resourceful eight-year-old girl. She lives in an orphanage and has no family, which makes her bond with the BFG all the more precious. Despite being frightened at first, she quickly adapts to her extraordinary situation and becomes the BFG's trusted friend and partner.
The BFG is enormous but gentle, lonely and deeply kind. Unlike the other giants, he refuses to eat humans and survives on snozzcumbers — a vegetable he finds revolting. He speaks in a gloriously muddled way, mixing up words and inventing new ones. He is shy, self-deprecating and aware of his own limitations (he cannot read or write). His friendship with Sophie gives him confidence and purpose.
The nine man-eating giants (including Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater, Childchewer, Manhugger and others) are brutal, stupid bullies. They torment the BFG for being different. They represent brute force without conscience or intelligence.
The Queen is treated with warm respect by Dahl. She believes Sophie's account immediately, is practical and decisive in her response, and treats the BFG with kindness. Her butler Mr Tibbs provides much of the comedy around the palace scenes.