Mildred
There are no active characters in Tender Buttons; however, there are several figures featured throughout the work. The first is Mildred, in the title of the poem "Mildred's Umbrella." She is not mentioned in the poem itself.
Pauline
Pauline is the indirect subject of "A Little Called Pauline" in the work's first section. Again, the poem does not center around Pauline; however, Stein writes, "a peaceful life to arise her" and "I hope she has her cow." The meaning of "a little" is not explained.
Aider
Aider is addressed in the poem "This is the Dress, Aider." Stein writes, "Aider, why aider why whow, whow stop touch, aider whow aider stop the muncher, muncher munchers." The identity of Aider is not explained in further detail. It can be postulated that Aider may also refer to domestic help as in an "aid."
A White Hunter
Stein also addresses a poem to "a white hunter" who as she says "is nearly crazy." The poem is a single line, without any elucidation of the explanation of the hunter or their craziness.
A Dog
Also within the first section, Stein writes a poem entitled "A Dog." As she says, "a little monkey goes like a donkey that means to say that more sighs last goes. Leave with it. A little monkey goes like a donkey." Here Stein suggests that there is a transmutability between animals, and that they all share common characteristics. This is another example of the way in which she seeks to redefine and re-conceptualize objects and subjects.
The Sister
In the work's final section, "Rooms," Stein references "the sister" who "was not a mister." This can be hypothesized as a homosexual reference, in the belief that a woman is replacing "a mister" in a lesbian relationship. Stein also confronts the social stigmas surrounding such a union, saying, "replacing a casual acquaintance with an ordinary daughter does not make a son." In other words, parents are disappointed that they do not have a son-in-law but rather "an ordinary daughter." Stein lived with her partner Alice B. Toklas for several decades, and this could be a reference to their own situation.
Objects, Food and Rooms
Though hardly traditional characters, Stein employs the titles of Tender Buttons three section as though they are living characters. Be it "a chair," "breakfast," or "shoes," Stein personifies each entity to the point of animating it as an active being, and thus a character.
