Up the Down Staircase

Main Characters and Their Development

• Sylvia Barrett: A young and idealistic English teacher who has just started working in a city school. She encounters bureaucracy and communication challenges with students but gradually finds her way and begins to understand the importance of patience and perseverance.
• Joe Ferarro: One of Sylvia's students, initially appearing as a troubled teenager, but later revealed to be intelligent and capable, needing support and attention.
• Ellis Dine: Sylvia's colleague, an experienced teacher who helps her adapt to school life and shares his knowledge and experience.
• Beatrice Schindler: The school principal, representing the bureaucratic system and often hindering Sylvia, but ultimately showing that she cares about the school and its students.