Characters
Luke Chandler
Luke Chandler is the youngest member of the Chandler’s family. He is the main character of the novel as the story is written in his point of view. He is also a dynamic character as he significantly changes throughout the story. At the beginning of the story he is a naive seven year old farm boy who has never told a lie or kept a secret in his entire life. However, by the end of the novel he is drowned in secrets and lies which have a huge impact on his behaviour.
Eli “Pappy” Chandler
Pappy or Eli Chandler is Luke’s grandfather. He is a determined and hard-working member of the family as he is constantly working long and hard in the fields. Being a veteran of World War I, he is well respected in both his family and society. As result his judgement is never questioned.
Ruth Chandler
Ruth is also one the older members of the family since she is Luke’s grandmother. She is very quiet and wise. Throughout the novel she is often found praying for her son, Ricky, to return safely home from the Korean War.
Jesse Chandler
Jesse Chandler is also served in the war however; he fought in World War II. He is Luke’s Chandler’s father and the son of Eli Chandler. He supports his family by aiding in harvesting cotton.
Kathleen Chandler
Kathleen Chandler is Luke’s mother who shares a close relationship with her son. Unlike the other Chandlers she was brought up in a “painted house” therefore, she often had different view on life then the rest of her family. While gardening she often dreamt about living in a suburban area with modern facilities.
Hank Spruill
Hank Spruill is an intimidating and furious character in the novel. He is angered very easily and is frequently caught in physical fights with other characters in the novel. His entire family and Luke fear him.
Tally Spruill
Tally Spruill is a member of the Spruills family. She is a beautiful, young teenage girl who is around the age of 17. This character has a huge influence on Luke as he develops an attraction towards her. She easily convincing Luke into things that he should not be exposed to such as watching a woman give birth.
Trot Spruill
Trot is another member of the hill people. However, he isn't much help when it comes to harvesting cotton since his arm is crippled. He does help the Chandler’s out by painting their farmhouse with white paint.
Cowboy
Cowboy belongs to the Mexican group on the farm. Just like Hank he is intimidating as he carries a switch blade and is not afraid to use it. This character and Hank often are involved in physical and verbal fights against one another.
Libby Latcher
Libby Latcher comes from a poor family. At the age of fifteen she is pregnant with as she claims Ricky Chandler’s baby.
The Latcher family
The Latcher family is one of the poorest family in town. They are share-croppers and do not live in the best condition. They often are degraded by other members in town.
The Sisco family
The Sisco family is known to be dangerous and committed many murders.
Ricky Chandler
Nineteen year old Ricky is Luke’s uncle. He is fighting in the Korean War therefore he is only referenced through letters and flashbacks.
Luke Chandler is the youngest member of the Chandler’s family. He is the main character of the novel as the story is written in his point of view. He is also a dynamic character as he significantly changes throughout the story. At the beginning of the story he is a naive seven year old farm boy who has never told a lie or kept a secret in his entire life. However, by the end of the novel he is drowned in secrets and lies which have a huge impact on his behaviour.
Eli “Pappy” Chandler
Pappy or Eli Chandler is Luke’s grandfather. He is a determined and hard-working member of the family as he is constantly working long and hard in the fields. Being a veteran of World War I, he is well respected in both his family and society. As result his judgement is never questioned.
Ruth Chandler
Ruth is also one the older members of the family since she is Luke’s grandmother. She is very quiet and wise. Throughout the novel she is often found praying for her son, Ricky, to return safely home from the Korean War.
Jesse Chandler
Jesse Chandler is also served in the war however; he fought in World War II. He is Luke’s Chandler’s father and the son of Eli Chandler. He supports his family by aiding in harvesting cotton.
Kathleen Chandler
Kathleen Chandler is Luke’s mother who shares a close relationship with her son. Unlike the other Chandlers she was brought up in a “painted house” therefore, she often had different view on life then the rest of her family. While gardening she often dreamt about living in a suburban area with modern facilities.
Hank Spruill
Hank Spruill is an intimidating and furious character in the novel. He is angered very easily and is frequently caught in physical fights with other characters in the novel. His entire family and Luke fear him.
Tally Spruill
Tally Spruill is a member of the Spruills family. She is a beautiful, young teenage girl who is around the age of 17. This character has a huge influence on Luke as he develops an attraction towards her. She easily convincing Luke into things that he should not be exposed to such as watching a woman give birth.
Trot Spruill
Trot is another member of the hill people. However, he isn't much help when it comes to harvesting cotton since his arm is crippled. He does help the Chandler’s out by painting their farmhouse with white paint.
Cowboy
Cowboy belongs to the Mexican group on the farm. Just like Hank he is intimidating as he carries a switch blade and is not afraid to use it. This character and Hank often are involved in physical and verbal fights against one another.
Libby Latcher
Libby Latcher comes from a poor family. At the age of fifteen she is pregnant with as she claims Ricky Chandler’s baby.
The Latcher family
The Latcher family is one of the poorest family in town. They are share-croppers and do not live in the best condition. They often are degraded by other members in town.
The Sisco family
The Sisco family is known to be dangerous and committed many murders.
Ricky Chandler
Nineteen year old Ricky is Luke’s uncle. He is fighting in the Korean War therefore he is only referenced through letters and flashbacks.