The narrator of the poem is an observant resident intimately familiar with the terrain, flora, fauna, and people of the West Indies. They view the poverty and natural environment of the island with a sharp sensory focus, experiencing synesthesia when hearing a bird's song. The speaker possesses a deep understanding of the local Catholic traditions that shape the community's daily rhythms.

The mother of the poem's speaker is a resident of the West Indies. On Sundays, the traditional Catholic day of rest, she lies face up in repose. Her quiet observance of the sabbath contributes to the peaceful, melancholic atmosphere of the day.

The sisters are Catholic nuns residing in the West Indies, likely associated with local institutions like St. Joseph's Convent. Dressed in traditional white habits, they gather around a street lantern at night like moths. They represent the strong Catholic influence on the island community.

These elderly residents of the island spend their time in a dry esplanade near the sea. They pass their days watching stray schooners stuck in branches and playing draughts alongside the local seabirds, firmly integrating into the coastal environment.

These skinny local children sell yellow sulphur stone, a raw volcanic material, on the village streets. Their street sales demonstrate the challenging economic conditions that affect the youth of the West Indies.