Who Are The Main Characters In The Borrowers?

The Borrowers' by mary Norton is such a charming little story, and the main characters are just bursting with personality. The central family is the Clock family, tiny people who live beneath the floorboards of a human house, 'borrowing' items to survive. The heart of the family is Arrietty Clock, a curious and adventurous young Borrower who dreams of exploring the world beyond the confines of her hidden home. Her father, Pod, is a skilled and cautious borrower, the one who actually ventures out to 'collect' necessities like pins, buttons, and scraps of fabric. Homily, Arrietty's mother, is more nervous and traditional, always worrying about being discovered by the 'human beans.'

Then there's the boy—simply called 'the Boy' in the first book—who discovers Arrietty and forms an unlikely friendship with her. His presence shakes up the Clock family's quiet existence, forcing them to confront their fears and the realities of their precarious lifestyle. Later books introduce other Borrowers like Spiller, a wild, independent Borrower who lives outdoors, and Uncle Hendreary's family, who have their own struggles. What makes these characters so memorable is how Norton gives them such human emotions despite their tiny stature—their fears, hopes, and stubbornness feel so real. I love how Arrietty’s curiosity mirrors any kid’s desire to break free from rules, while Pod and Homily represent that protective parental instinct. It’s a story that feels big even though its characters are so small.