Laurel Hand
The only child of Judge McKelva, Laurel lives in Chicago. She travels down to New Orleans to visit her father, the Judge, because he has to have surgery on his eye. There, she meets her stepmother for the first time, and is saddened when the Judge passes away.
She then travels with her stepmother, Fay, to Mississippi, where she grew up. She recollects what it was like to be an innocent child, and remembers the golden days of her father. After, Laurel gains a new understanding and appreciation of and for her life. In this way, Laurel is a dynamic character, as well as being the main character of the novel.
Fay McKelva
Fay is the second wife of Judge McKelva, and stepmother to Laurel. Despite this, Fay is younger than Laurel, and has a rude attitude. After the Judge dies, she admits that she was only out for his money, and on the trip to Mississippi, she could care less about the memories of the Judge that Laurel wants to share with her.
Judge McKelva
Residing in a New Orleans hospital to have treatment on his eye, Judge McKelva is the husband of Fay and the father of Laurel. He is a kind and wise man, and is well respected in his profession. However, the Judge does not make it through the eye procedure, and passes away. Laurel is struck hard, but gains a new understanding of life afterwards.
