Approaching fifty years of age, Henry Haller is a former successful writer who feels completely alienated from modern society. He perceives himself as divided into two conflicting halves: a cultured man of taste and a wild, antisocial "Steppenwolf." Suffering from despair and a deep distaste for the modern world, he isolates himself until he encounters a vibrant social circle that challenges his strict isolation.

A boisterous and perceptive young woman whom Haller meets at a bar. She bears a striking physical resemblance to Haller's childhood friend Herman. Socially adept and confident, she takes an immediate interest in Haller, insisting that he must learn to dance and embrace physical pleasures rather than wallowing in his serious misery.

A talented jazz musician whom Haller meets through his new social group. Pablo lives fully in the present moment, unconcerned with the intellectual hierarchies of high and low culture that obsess Haller. He is observant and actively encourages a lifestyle of immediate sensory experience.

A beautiful young woman in Hermine and Pablo's social circle. She lives a bohemian lifestyle, fully immersing herself in sensory pleasures, music, and romance. Passionate and intelligent, she offers Haller a chance to experience uninhibited affection.

The unnamed nephew of Haller's landlady. He serves as an outside observer to Haller's life, initially finding the older man's antisocial behavior off-putting before coming to recognize his intelligence. He provides the framing for the novel by presenting Haller's writings.

The aunt of the narrator who rents a room in her tidy home to Henry Haller. She represents the orderly society that Haller simultaneously relies upon and resents. She interacts with her lodger over occasional teas and polite conversations.

A former academic colleague of Haller's who invites him to dinner. The Professor represents the conventional, patriotic intellectual class that Haller once belonged to but now fiercely rejects. Their interactions are strained by deep ideological differences.

The spouse of Haller's former colleague. She attempts to maintain polite social conventions during Haller's visit but becomes deeply offended when Haller openly criticizes a sentimental portrait hanging in her drawing-room.

A woman with whom Haller maintains a sporadic relationship prior to meeting Hermine. Their interactions are difficult and often unhappy, exposing Haller's profound inability to connect with others during his period of deepest isolation.

Based on the historical German writer, Goethe appears as a figure in Haller's dream. Representing the cultural figures whom Haller idolizes, this dream version playfully challenges Haller's excessive seriousness and encourages him to relax.

Based on the famous composer, Mozart is another revered historical figure who manifests to critique Haller's rigid purism. He urges the protagonist to laugh at the absurdity of existence rather than reacting with despair over cultural changes.

A former friend of Haller's who was teaching theology before the outbreak of war. He appears in a chaotic surreal scenario, representing an embrace of violence and conflict in the face of modern technology.

A woman who becomes involved in the surreal conflict between humans and machines. She joins Gustav and Haller, casually assisting them during the chaotic violence by reloading their weapons.

A girl from Haller's youth whom he originally let pass by out of shyness. In a magical space, he is given the opportunity to interact with her, representing his unfulfilled past desires.