Zorba the Greek

Main Characters and Their Development

• Alexis Zorba - the main character of the book, a charismatic and energetic man with a wealth of life experience. He embodies the spirit of freedom and passion for life. Zorba works at the mine for the narrator and becomes his friend and mentor. Throughout the book, Zorba is revealed as a person who lives in the moment, enjoys every minute, and is unafraid to take risks. His philosophy of life and attitude towards challenges have a profound impact on the narrator.
• The Narrator (Boss) - a young educated man who decides to leave his comfortable life and go to Crete to manage a mine. At the beginning of the book, he appears as someone immersed in books and theories, but thanks to Zorba, he begins to understand the value of direct experience and simple joys of life. Interaction with Zorba helps him to rethink his priorities and views on life.
• Madame Hortense - an elderly French woman, a former courtesan living in Crete. She dreams of love and romance, and at one point, Zorba proposes to her. Her character symbolizes the longing for love and recognition, despite age and life circumstances.