The Woman is a wife and mother experiencing severe despondency tied to her domestic roles. She spends her days withdrawing from her family, isolating herself in different rooms of the house, and relying on nightly draughts of sedatives to cope with her reality. Her background includes a college education and an affinity for reading, but she currently functions solely within the confines of her home. She fluctuates between overwhelming guilt and bursts of erratic hostility.

The Man is a durable, gentle husband who takes on the household chores and child-rearing responsibilities when his wife becomes ill. He works in an office during the day and returns home to cook meals and administer his wife's medication. He behaves gallantly and attempts to understand her needs, though he struggles to truly comprehend the root of her malaise. His solutions primarily involve hiring help and keeping up the appearance of a functioning household.

The Child is the three-year-old son of the household who becomes confused and frightened by his mother's sudden rejection. He tries to interact with her through normal play, such as pretending to be a tiger or bringing her a grasshopper from outside. His innocent presence inadvertently causes his mother deep psychological distress, creating a tense dynamic where he becomes both a victim of her outbursts and a perceived threat to her independence.

The Girl is a young, energetic nanny hired by the husband to care for the house and the child. She is dynamic and highly competent, completely unburdened by the psychological weight of domesticity that crushes her employer. She cheerfully cleans, paints watercolors, and reads edifying books in her spare time. Her effortless performance of the ideal maternal role creates a sharp contrast with the struggling mother she replaces.