Earl Middleton
Earl Middleton is the main protagonist in Richard Ford’s “Rock Springs”, the first story in Rock Springs. He is middle aged and on the run with his daughter and girlfriend. They are not sure where they are headed, but he gets everyone into the car for a road trip anyway. Earl has a criminal history, and it is the only thing he has specialized in, therefore making it hard to become an honest man.
Edna
Edna is Earl Middleton’s girlfriend. She is together with Earl, and she believes that he will try to protect her. She goes for the road-trip with Earl, but the car breaks down. When she starts talking to Earl, she realizes that he isn’t sure and confident in their relationship and she decides to leave him.
Les
Les is the main character in the second story in Rock Springs, “Communist”. He is a young boy, and he once went to hunt Siberian geese illegally with his mother and her friend. He remembers how the friend tried leaving a bird hurt and dying, and reflects on how bad he felt then, and feels now.
