Coming of Age in Mississippi
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Character List
Anne Moody -
The subject of the autobiography. Moody’s given name is Essie Mae,
though she goes by Anne.
Read an in-depth analysis of Anne Moody.
Toosweet Davis (Mama) -
Anne’s mother. Toosweet strives to feed and clothe her children and
encourages Anne’s schoolwork early on. However, she does not encourage Anne to
go to college and begs Anne to get out of the civil rights
movement.
Adline Moody -
Anne’s younger sister. Adline and her mother do not support Anne’s
civil rights work, though Adline eventually supports Anne’s decision to go to
college
Diddly Moody (Dil) -
Anne’s father. Moody deserts Toosweet for Florence. Anne goes to live
with him after she leaves Toosweet.
Darlene -
Raymond’s younger sister. Darlene is Anne’s age. Anne delights in
outperforming her in school and church activities.
Mrs. Burke -
Linda Mae and Wayne’s mother. Mrs. Burke employs Anne as a maid. Mrs.
Burke is highly unpleasant and looks down on blacks. Anne first hears about the
NAACP when she overhears Mrs. Burke discussing it with a ladies’
group.
Read an in-depth analysis of Mrs. Burke.
The Carter Family -
Owners of the plantation where Anne lives at the start of the memoir.
The Carter family employs Anne and her family. Anne’s mother says Mr. Carter
stays up at night counting money he has made off the black plantation
workers.
Reverend Carson -
Anne’s teacher at Mt. Pleasant School. Reverend Carson terrifies the
children with his loud voice and his switch; he is fairly inept as a
teacher.
The Claiborne Family -
The family that employs Anne. The Claiborne family encourages Anne in
her schoolwork and shares their dinner table with her. She helps them around the
house.
Aunt Cindy -
Toosweet’s sister. Aunt Cindy hosts Anne during the first few weeks
after she leaves Dil.
The Cook Family -
A family that is acquainted with Anne’s. The Cook family rents Anne’s
mother her first house after Anne’s father abandons her. They are kind to Anne
and her family.
Raymond Davis -
Toosweet’s second husband. Raymond Davis and Anne have a tense
relationship, which prompts Anne to move out of her immediate family’s
house.
Doris -
A fellow CORE activist with Anne in Canton. Doris grows extremely
nervous in the face of constant white terrorism.
Florence -
Exceptionally beautiful mulatto widow of Dil’s best friend, Hank. Dil
has an affair with her that destroys his marriage with Toosweet.
George Lee -
Toosweet’s younger brother. Lee is forced to look after Anne and
Adline—when he is only eight years old—while their parents are working. He hits
the girls and accidentally sets the wallpaper on fire when he tries to scare
them with matches.
The Johnson Family -
Family who employs Toosweet as a maid. The Johnson family is kinder
to Toosweet than her other employers. She works for them after quitting
the café but before moving in with Raymond.
Ola Johnson -
Grandmother of the Johnson family. Johnson takes Anne under her wing
and encourages her in all pursuits.
Miss Pearl -
Raymond’s mother. Miss Pearl treats Toosweet coldly because Toosweet
is darker skinned.
Grandfather Moody -
Anne’s grandfather. Grandfather Moody is regretful of his son’s
abandonment of Anne’s family, and so he gives them money from the pouch around
his waist.
Mrs. Rice -
Anne’s teacher. Rice tells Anne about the NAACP and encourages her to
learn more about the civil rights movement.
Mr. Willis -
Principal of Anne’s high school. Mr. Willis is considered the biggest
“Uncle Tom” in Anne’s town. Many believe he helped conspire to murder an NAACP
activist.
