Beautiful sister
In the first chapter, Orual talks about her sister and how she is more beautiful than her. Orual is described as being ugly, with ordinary hair and with nothing exceptional about her. In comparison with her, Orual’s sister breathtakingly beautiful and when she has to have her hair cut, the maids mourn her hair and its beauty.
Harsh nurse
Another character described extensively in the novel is the children’s nurse, Batta. Batta is described as a terrible woman, a person who does not like the girls and who takes pleasure in thinking that the girls will be punished by their step-mother. All this portray Batta as a cruel woman who is heartless and even sadistic at times.
The priest
In the first chapter, the priest that serves in the temple where Ungit is worshiped is described by Orual and she describes him in a frightening manner, having parts of dead animals on him and smelling putrid as a result of the bodily fluids he came into contact with during the religious ceremonies. The image portrayed here is not a flattering one and apart from portraying the priest as being unapproachable and terrifying, the Goddess he serves is portrayed in the same manner.
Cruel king
After the new Queen died during childbirth, the King becomes angry and kills a slave for no apparent reason. This scene has the purpose of portraying the King as a harsh man, someone who does not care about the well-being of those who serve him. He is portrayed more like a tyrant than a beloved King and it quickly becomes clear that he is feared by everyone.
