An observant, reflective man accompanying his nine-year-old niece, Lucinda, to the local Galleria. He notices the sharp contrasts of the store displays, such as televisions showing both distant war footage and superficial entertainment news. Troubled by the rapid onset of consumerism in his young relative, he reflects on the isolation and spiritual emptiness inherent in modern American society. He processes his experience by comparing the modern retail environment to ancient Greek transformation myths.

A nine-year-old girl who walks through the shopping mall with the confidence and purpose of an experienced adult buyer. Armed with her parents' credit card, she assesses the labels of purses rather than looking at the faces of those around her. Her deep immersion into the material world acts as a distinctly modern coming-of-age experience, marking a shift from childhood curiosity to American consumerism.

A beautiful nymph from Greek mythology. In the uncle's thoughts, her dramatic transformation into a laurel tree to escape unwanted advances serves as a tragic parallel. Her story illustrates how modern individuals lose their humanity to the aggressive forces of American consumerism.

A princess from ancient myth who is turned into a black crow by the goddess Athena while fleeing the god Neptune. The uncle reflects on her story to demonstrate how young, innocent girls experience a loss of humanity when overwhelmed by vast, uncontrollable forces.

A river god and the father of the nymph Daphne. When his virgin daughter pleads for an escape from her pursuer, he uses his power to turn her into a beautiful laurel tree.

A Greek god whose aggressive advances drive the nymph Daphne to seek a desperate transformation. The uncle thinks of his pursuit as representing the hard, uncontrollable nature of consumer culture.

A god whose advances cause Princess Coronis to flee. His pursuit mirrors the inescapable pressures of American acquisition that the uncle observes taking hold of the young shoppers in the mall.

A goddess who transforms Princess Coronis into a black crow for her defiance. Her role in the myth emphasizes the severe, punitive nature of the transformations the uncle reflects upon.