Ada McGrath
She is a Scotswoman who is mute since she was six but no one, even Ada herself, knows the reason behind it. She communicates through sign language and expresses herself by playing piano. Ada is sold by her father to Alisdair Stewart. Earlier, she was in a relationship with her teacher and she believed that he could communicate with her by reading her mind.
Flora McGrath
She is born out of wedlock as a result of Ada’s relationship with her teacher. Flora goes with her mother to live with Alisdair; she is her mother’s voice as she interprets her sign language for others.
Alisdair Stewart
He is a New Zealander frontiersman who buys and marries Ada. Their relationship is cold and distant without any emotional or sexual intimacy.
George Baines
He is Alisdair’s friend who comes with him to pick up Ada and her daughter. George is also a forester and, even though he is Caucasian, he is deeply acculturated in Maori culture and traditions, prominently, tattooing his face. He is attracted to Ada and wishes to take Piano lessons from her in hopes of getting closer to her.
