Next

Twyla

The narrator and protagonist. Twyla begins the story as an eight-year-old girl, recently arrived at St. Bonny’s children’s shelter. Her race is left intentionally ambiguous, but it is different from that of her roommate, Roberta. Their relationship forces Twyla to confront her prejudices as the girls meet at different times throughout their lives. Twyla grows into a serious, responsible middle-class wife and mother, but her time at the children’s shelter looms large in her mind.

See an in-depth analysis of Twyla.

Roberta

Twyla’s roommate at St. Bonny’s and her opposite in many ways. Her race is also described in intentionally ambiguous terms. Roberta grows up to marry a wealthy widower and becomes stepmother to his four children. Her relationship with Twyla forces her to confront her prejudices as the girls meet at different times throughout their lives. Roberta is at times flighty and self-centered but is not without empathy.

See an in-depth analysis of Roberta.

Maggie

The kitchen woman who works at St. Bonny’s. Her race is left ambiguous, and she is described only as “sandy-colored.” Mute and bow-legged, Maggie dresses and acts like a child. She is often a target of harassment due to her disabilities.

See an in-depth analysis of Maggie.

Mrs. Itkin (the Big Bozo)

A staff member at St. Bonny’s. Cold and strict, the children only refer to her as “the Big Bozo.”

Mary

Twyla’s mother. Mary is described as someone who dances all night. Whether she is a sex worker or someone who prioritizes partying over parenting is unclear. Her lifestyle makes her incapable of providing necessities such as food and housing for Twyla. Mary is an attractive woman who often acts and dresses inappropriately. Her lack of self-awareness and self-control is a source of embarrassment for Twyla. Her failure to properly feed and otherwise care for her daughter indicates her neglectful and perhaps selfish nature.

Roberta’s mother

Roberta’s mother. She is never named, but Roberta’s mother is large, religious, and judgmental of Mary. She suffers from a nonspecific but apparently serious illness that causes Roberta to be placed at St. Bonny’s. Despite her inability to serve as her daughter’s caretaker, Roberta’s mother has provided basic necessities for her daughter.

The gar girls

A group of teenaged girls housed at St. Bonny’s. The girls wear makeup and listen to the radio in the orchard. They frighten the younger girls, especially Roberta and Twyla. Many come from unfortunate, often abusive, backgrounds.

James Benson

Twyla’s husband who works as a fireman and is close with his working-class family.

Joseph Benson

Twyla’s son who eventually graduates high school and attends college.

Kenneth Norton

Roberta’s wealthy husband and implied IBM executive who is a widower with four children.

Next section Twyla

Take a Study Break