The Wasp Factory

Main Characters and Their Development

• Frank Cauldhame — the main character and narrator, a teenager living on a remote Scottish island. He leads a strange and violent life, killing animals and performing rituals. As the plot develops, his dark secrets and traumatic past are revealed, including the shocking truth about his gender identity.
• Angus Cauldhame — Frank's father, a scientist with eccentric and harsh parenting methods. He plays a significant role in shaping Frank's personality and worldview. By the end of the book, his involvement in manipulating Frank's gender identity is revealed.
• Eric Cauldhame — Frank's older brother, who escapes from a psychiatric hospital and returns to the island. His madness and cruelty have a significant impact on Frank and serve as a catalyst for several events in the book.