Henry
This character is like a Buddha. Like Siddhartha Gautama, Henry is spoiled and insulated from suffering by his father's wealth, but like the Buddha before him, Henry learns about suffering regardless. Henry's journey up the mountain is the transformative pilgrimage toward enlightenment, which in this case, simply refers to Henry's powerful realization that his life should not be spoiled and privileged, but that he should try for a normal life, letting misfortune take its natural course. In other words, he has become a well-adjusted, balanced adult.
Franklin
Franklin is Henry's buddy and brother. They are living in the luxury of their father's house when Franklin gets injured during a run. He ends up in a coma, and he ends up dying from his injuries, but he does get one last word. He raises from his comatose state, says, "Katahdin" to his brother, and then dies.
Henry's dad
This person is like the Buddha's father, because they both have the same idea: By insulating his son from suffering and tragedy, or "Trouble," as they call it, Henry's dad hopes to give his son the best life possible, but this fails, because as they say, the rain falls on the rich and the poor alike. Tragedy cannot be escaped, as the family learns together when Franklin dies suddenly.
Chay
The man who killed Franklin, although Henry doesn't know this about him. Compared to Henry's family, Chay's life is extraordinarily different. Chay is an immigrant from East Asia, and his experience of American culture helps Henry in his progress toward enlightenment, especially because he has to try to forgive the man who is responsible for his brother's death.
Louisa
Louisa is Henry's sister who helps him realize that although Franklin's life should be mourned, he shouldn't be placed on a pedestal, because, after all, he had some serious character deficiencies. Louisa helps Henry understand that Franklin experienced a tremendous amount of negative emotion toward those who were less privileged, and he sometimes would express fairly racist or hateful ideas.
Sanborn
Sanborn is one of Henry's buddies. They are both from wealthy parents, so his attendance in Henry's healing journey up the mountain helps Henry to visualize and process various ways that their lives have been harmed or changed by their financial privileges. He starts to realize that his experience of life is unique and privileged.
