Dillard Wayne Early Jr. (Dill)
Dill is the protagonist of the novel. He is the son of a disgraced preacher who was jailed for possessing illegal materials. Dill is from a religious, low-income family living in rural Tennessee. He struggles with the burden of his father's legacy and the reputation that it has left him within their small town. He is shy and reserved yet talented as a musician, and he dreams of a life beyond his hometown. Dill is conflicted between the obligations he feels to his family and his desire to escape his past and build a better future. His friendship with Lydia and Travis helps him navigate these struggles.
Lydia Blankenship
Lydia is a confident, ambitious, and intelligent young woman. Unlike Dill and Travis, Lydia comes from a middle-class family with a broader worldview. She runs a successful fashion blog and has plans to move to New York City for college, showing her aspiration to leave their small town. Lydia's character brings a perspective of hope and ambition to the story, and she frequently encourages Dill and Travis to dream beyond their circumstances. Despite sometimes seeming insensitive to her friends' harsher realities, Lydia cares deeply for them and does her best to support them.
Travis Bohannon
Travis is a kind-hearted and gentle character who often acts as the peacemaker between Dill and Lydia. He works at a lumberyard to help support his family after his brother died in the military. Travis finds solace in a fantasy series of books he is passionate about, which serves as an escape from his abusive father and his dreary life. His character provides a viewpoint on the importance of escapism and the harsh realities of domestic abuse.
Dillard Early Sr.
Dill's father, while not a central character, is nonetheless important as he is responsible for Dill's negative reputation in their town. He was a snake-handling preacher who fell from grace after being jailed. His fall impacts Dill in several ways, leaving him with emotional trauma and social stigma. His character serves as a depiction of the negative aspects of religious fanaticism.
