Hannah Coulter

As the novel’s protagonist, Hannah narrates the story of her life from the end of her girlhood through war, widowhood, motherhood, and old age. Speaking retrospectively, Hannah begins her story as a young girl living in poverty amid the upheaval of the Great Depression. After losing her mother, her beloved Grandmam mentors her, shaping her sense of self. When Grandmam helps her move to Port William, Hannah begins a spiritual and emotional journey in which she gradually comes into her own and discovers a sense of purpose and belonging. Her first marriage to Virgil, full of youthful hope, is cut short by war. Devastated by grief, she continues, raising their daughter and remaining close to Virgil’s family and their community. Her marriage to Nathan Coulter represents a turning point in her life, offering her not just a partner but a shared purpose. Through their life together, Hannah learns that love born out of loss is not lesser, but richer. Over time, Hannah’s sense of identity becomes inseparable from Port William and its people, emphasizing The Significance of Place and Belonging as a central theme in the novel.

Hannah is the keeper of memory, narrating not only her own story but the story of Port William and its “membership.