The Narrator (“The Assault”)
The narrator is a mother who comes upon a talkaholic after accompanying her son to his school.
The Woman Driver (talkaholic) (“The Assault”)
She has a son who is ill with a mental indisposition that is yet to be confirmed. She generously undertakes to drive the narrator at her abode using her car.
The Woman’s son (“The Assault”)
He is the subject matter of his mother’s neurotic talking. He and the narrator’s son are age mates and schoolmates.
Parvez (“My Son is a Fanatic”)
Parvez is Ali’s father. He toils as a taxi driver to make available all the fundamental things that Ali desires together with college education.
Ali (“My Son is a Fanatic”)
Ali is “the fanatic son” who disheartens his father by giving up his education to abide by a radical way of life.
Bettina (“My Son is a Fanatic”)
Bettina is Parvez’s long term client and supportive confidant. She listens to Parvez and extends him counsel to come to grips with his son’s hypothetical drug use.
