1) The ugly duckling is the central character and hero of the story. The audience is meant to feel sorry for him as he is discriminated against for no reason. 2) There is no single villain character. Those who are against the ugly duckling do so out of fear or unfamiliarity with his appearance, not because they are truly evil. 3) Two helper characters, an old woman and a peasant, rescue the ugly duckling when he is in danger and provide him shelter as he continues his journey of self-discovery.