Sister

The narrator and town’s postmistress. Sister is exactly one year older than Stella-Rondo and was involved with Mr. Whitaker before Stella-Rondo became engaged to him. Sister is frank and outspoken, but her pettiness and jealousy often get the best of her, clouding her view of the world. Sister’s telling of the story is full of comedy, and her humor helps her cope with stress and the hurt that her family members sometimes inflict.

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Stella-Rondo

Sister’s rival, who returns to the family home after separating from Mr. Whitaker. Stella-Rondo relentlessly supports her own version of events, including her claim that Shirley-T. is her adopted, not biological, daughter. Hot-tempered, dramatic, and manipulative, she instigates family discord to get her family members to give her attention and emotional support.

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Mama

The family matriarch, who weighs 200 pounds. Gullible and self-deluded, Mama seems to believe whatever she is told, as long as it is coming from Stella-Rondo. Although she feels that she is a fair and supportive parent, her regard for Stella-Rondo, as opposed to Sister, seems abundantly clear. However, she reassures Sister that she would be treated the same way if she were to leave home and then return after a separation.

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Uncle Rondo

A mentally and emotionally scarred World War I veteran. Uncle Rondo wears Stella-Rondo’s flesh-colored kimono and, as is his habit every Fourth of July, consumes an entire bottle of a liquid prescription medicine and all but loses consciousness for hours. Temperamental and easily provoked, he lashes out in cruel ways when he feels he is being threatened.

Papa-Daddy

Sister’s grandfather. With his long, shaggy beard, Papa-Daddy is the classic crotchety old man, whose deafness and salty attitude cut him off from active participation in family life. He is proud of his connections and the fact that he was able to get Sister her position at the post office, which he often lords over Sister during arguments.

Shirley-T.

Stella-Rondo’s supposedly adopted two-year-old daughter. Shirley-T. is mute throughout the story except for a brief moment when she loudly belts out the theme song to Popeye the Sailor Man and refers to Uncle Rondo as Papa.

Mr. Whitaker

Stella-Rondo’s estranged husband and Sister’s former boyfriend. Rumored to have a drinking problem, Mr. Whitaker is a photographer who briefly opened a shop in China Grove. Although he never appears physically in the story, he is the source of the rivalry and hurt feelings between Sister and Stella-Rondo.