Esperanza is the 13-year-old only child of a wealthy Spanish landowner in 1920s Mexico. Raised in privilege and treated like a princess, she lives a sheltered life surrounded by servants and material comforts. She holds a strong attachment to her family but struggles to understand the social divide between herself and the working class.

Miguel is the 15-year-old son of the Ortega family's Oaxaca Indian servants. He possesses a natural mechanical aptitude and dreams of working on the railroad in the United States. He is acutely aware of the rigid social hierarchy in Mexico that positions him permanently beneath the ruling class.

Ramona is the elegant patrona of the Ortega estate in Aguascalientes. She maintains a calm, composed disposition and easily interacts with people from different social classes, demonstrating a generosity of spirit her daughter lacks. She prioritizes her family's safety and unity above material comfort.

Tío Luis is the president of the local bank and the older stepbrother of Esperanza's father. He is a serious, gloomy man who cares exclusively for money, power, and social influence. He leverages his financial control over the Ortega land to aggressively coerce Ramona into marriage.

Tío Marco is the mayor of the town and the other older stepbrother of Esperanza's father. Like his brother Luis, he is motivated by a desire for influence and wealth. He uses his political position to support Luis's schemes to take control of the Ortega estate.

Abuelita is Ramona's elderly mother and Esperanza's grandmother. Having immigrated to Mexico from Spain in her youth, she possesses a deep understanding of life's unpredictability. She teaches Esperanza to crochet, using the blanket's zigzag pattern to explain the peaks and valleys of human experience.

Hortensia is the devoted Oaxaca Indian housekeeper for the Ortega family. She manages the domestic affairs of the estate and provides steady, practical support to Ramona and Esperanza. She is deeply loyal to her employers, treating them almost as extended family.

Alfonso is the loyal Oaxaca Indian overseer of the Ortega estate. He manages the agricultural operations and holds a deep respect for his employer. He acts as a crucial protector and guide for the Ortega women when their safety is threatened, using his family connections in the United States to secure their escape.

Marta is a volatile Mexican teenager who lives in the neighboring migrant camp in California. She is an outspoken advocate for forming a farmworkers' union and strongly resents the wealthy landowners. She frequently targets Esperanza, mocking her inability to perform basic chores and her privileged background.

Isabel is Hortensia and Alfonso's eight-year-old niece who lives in the California migrant camp. She is fascinated by Esperanza's past life of luxury and dreams of being treated like a princess. She happily takes on the role of teaching Esperanza how to perform practical domestic tasks.

Sixto is Esperanza's father and a wealthy Spanish landowner in Aguascalientes. He maintains a deep, almost spiritual connection to his vineyards and treats his workers with more respect than is typical for his class. His sudden absence shatters the peaceful existence of his family.

Juan is Alfonso's brother who lives in the San Joaquin Valley. He secures employment and housing for the newly arriving group at the migrant camp. He provides transportation and initial guidance as the family settles into their new reality.

Josefina is Juan's wife and Isabel's mother. She welcomes the Ortega women and her extended family into the cramped California migrant camp. She helps the newcomers adjust to the domestic realities of camp life, including cooking and preparing food to sell.

Señor Rodrígues is a neighboring landowner and friend of the Ortega family. He acts as a quiet ally when the family faces danger, providing a safe haven and logistical support for their secret departure from Mexico.