Clare's father, an intelligent man from an impoverished aristocratic English background, who imparts his views on history and civilization while struggling with his own beliefs and lifestyle choices.

Clare's mother, who comes from a poor mixed family and shares a distant relationship with her daughters, particularly in expressing cultural heritage and intimacy.

Clare's maternal grandmother, a mixed-race woman with a challenging past, who is emotionally distant except with her Black father and harbors biases against her own family.

Clare's younger sister, a dark-skinned girl favored by their mother, which leads to Clare's feelings of jealousy and fear of losing maternal affection.

Clare's closest friend, a self-aware, dark-skinned girl whose life contrasts sharply with Clare's, highlighting societal and familial disparities.

Zoe's mother, a single woman who provides for her family by selling food and maintains a close, open relationship with her daughters.

An elderly, rich white woman who is bitter and racist, taking out her disdain for Jamaica on her servant and harboring strict utilitarian views.

Beatrice's sister, considered insane due to her eccentric behavior, who has a personal history entangled with racial and familial taboos.

Clare’s great-great-grandfather, an English puisne justice in Jamaica turned plantation owner, known for his oppressive acts and concealed interracial dynamics.

A legendary figure from Jamaica’s past, known for her leadership of the Windward Maroons and her mystical abilities, serving as a beacon of resistance.

A local schoolteacher with roots in the Harlem Renaissance, who becomes disillusioned with Black nationalism and supports the status quo in his educational approach.