Helga is an intelligent twenty-two-year-old biracial woman born to a Danish mother and a West Indian father. She teaches at Naxos, a Southern boarding school for African-American children. She feels alienated by the institution's restrictive atmosphere. She possesses a deep appreciation for beauty and vibrant clothing, which contrasts with the somber environment around her. Driven by an innate restlessness, she constantly seeks a place where she feels comfortable.

Dr. Anderson is the young principal of the Naxos boarding school. He is a remote, quiet man with tired gray eyes who genuinely believes in the institution's mission. He attempts to convince Helga to stay and fight for change from within. His composed exterior masks deep emotions that surface during his unexpected encounters with Helga.

Mrs. Hayes-Rore is a wealthy widow living in Chicago. She advocates for racial equality and travels frequently to deliver speeches to organizations like the Negro Women's League of Clubs. Pragmatic and well-connected, she acts as a crucial bridge for Helga by providing her with employment and travel opportunities.

Anne Gray is a young Harlem socialite who enjoys considerable financial independence. She surrounds herself with expensive antiques and tasteful furnishings. While she vocalizes strong opinions on racial equality, she simultaneously adopts the manners and lifestyle associated with upper-class white society.

Uncle Peter is Helga's white maternal uncle living in Chicago. He financed her education following the death of her mother. His circumstances change after his marriage to a woman who harbors prejudice against his biracial niece, restricting his ability to openly support Helga.

Aunt Katarina is Helga's maternal aunt living in Copenhagen. She bears a strong physical resemblance to Helga's late mother. Eager to fold her niece into her affluent lifestyle, Katarina insists on curating Helga's wardrobe with bright colors designed to showcase her as an exotic beauty in Danish society.

Uncle Poul Dahl is Aunt Katarina's wealthy Danish husband. He eagerly provides for Helga, arranging the purchase of expensive jewelry and facilitating her introduction to Copenhagen's elite. He expects Helga to reciprocate their generosity by enhancing the family's social standing.

Axel Olson is a famous portrait artist in Denmark. He is captivated by Helga's appearance and makes arrangements with her uncle to paint her portrait without consulting her first. Accustomed to getting what he wants, he projects exoticized stereotypes onto his artistic subjects.

The Reverend Mr. Pleasant Green is the minister of a small church in Harlem. He is a plainspoken man deeply committed to his faith and his congregation. He approaches life with a straightforward spirituality that contrasts with the intellectual complexities of the other men in Helga's life.

James Vayle is Helga's fiancé during her time at Naxos. He comes from a prominent black family that views Helga with suspicion due to her lack of familial connections. Comfortable within the segregated Southern system, he fits perfectly into the conservative environment of the boarding school.

Margaret Creighton is a single teacher at Naxos and one of Helga's few friends there. She attempts to dissuade Helga from leaving the school by reminding her of the practical benefits of their employment.

Miss MacGooden is a dormitory matron at Naxos. She is rigidly puritanical and enforces strict discipline upon the young students. She prides herself on her supposed gentility, famously claiming that she remained unmarried because she is too ladylike to endure sexual intimacy.

Mrs. Nilssen is the new wife of Helga's Uncle Peter. She harbors deep racial prejudice and is deeply embarrassed by her husband's biracial niece. When Helga arrives seeking help, Mrs. Nilssen coldly snubs her and instructs her never to visit their home again.

Audrey Denney is an attractive light-skinned woman living in Harlem who actively defies the era's racial boundaries. She frequently associates with white people and hosts integrated parties, making her a target of intense criticism from conservative socialites.