Evangeline is a young Acadian woman from the farming community of Grand-Pré. She spins flax for the loom, takes drinks to the laborers in the fields, manages her father's household, and brings a sense of peace to her family. Deeply religious and obedient, she is highly respected by her peers. Following the violent expulsion of her people, she dedicates her life to searching for her displaced betrothed, relying heavily on her Christian faith to sustain her during the exile.

Gabriel is a young Acadian man who grew up alongside Evangeline like a sibling before becoming engaged to her. The sudden deportation separates him from his bride, forcing him onto a different ship. He spends his exile wandering the American frontier, traveling on boats with hunters and trappers, and trading mules with the Spanish in the Ozark Mountains.

Benedict is the wealthiest farmer in the village of Grand-Pré. He is a cheerful patriarch who directs his home with a sense of peace, often relaxing by the fireside and singing songs while his daughter tends to the chores. His health and spirit are shattered when the English arrive to confiscate his land and burn the settlement.

Basil is the village blacksmith in Grand-Pré and a protective figure in the community. Unlike his friend Benedict, Basil is quick to anger and ready to fight when the British announce the expulsion. He possesses a strong survival instinct, eventually establishing himself as a prosperous herdsman with large cattle herds in the new territory of Louisiana.

Father Felician serves as both the parish priest and the school teacher in Grand-Pré. He is a devout pacifist who urges his congregation to practice love and forgiveness in the face of violent injustice. During the years of wandering, he travels with the exiled Acadians and acts as a spiritual guide.

René is the public notary of Grand-Pré, characterized by his age and his deep faith in divine justice. He draws up the legal documents for the village marriages and tells stories to comfort his neighbors. He believes strongly that God is in control of the world, even when human beings commit unjust acts.

Baptiste is the son of the village notary. He harbors a deep, long-standing affection for Evangeline. As the years of exile stretch on, other members of the displaced community encourage Evangeline to abandon her search and marry him instead.

He is a French-speaking Indigenous man who serves as a Jesuit priest at a mission near the Ozark Mountains. He welcomes travelers into his camp and shows them native plants, like the compass flower. He provides hospitality and steady Christian counsel.

The Shawnee woman is a grieving widow whose husband was killed by Comanches. She shares eerie folklore about phantoms and snow bridegrooms with her fellow travelers. Her non-Christian stories of loss deeply disturb the devoutly Catholic listeners in the camp.

Michael is a musician from the old Acadian community. He survives the displacement and eventually makes his way down the Mississippi River to Louisiana. He lives for a time with Basil and brings a sense of communal joy and nostalgia through his music.