A bright boy who initially shows promise in school before his father pulls him out to work in the dangerous coal mines. He grows up torn between the intellectual path offered by C. J. Marcum and a sense of duty to his fellow miners. He develops a sharp, sometimes reckless demeanor as he faces the harsh realities of the coal camps and begins considering how to organize his peers.

A strong-willed, outspoken young woman who rejects traditional gender expectations. She secretly hunts for her family and aspires to become a nurse rather than settle down quietly at the Homeplace. She longs for adventure and a passionate romance, often comparing the men she meets to literary figures.

A principled man who witnesses his family's land being taken by the railroads and coal companies. He runs a drugstore in the town of Annadel and holds strong political beliefs. He deeply resents the coal operators and tries to educate others about their rights, hoping to foster a more equitable community through socialism.

An Italian immigrant who is forced into marriage and brought to the American coal camps. She works as a maid for the wealthy coal operator Lytton Davidson. She struggles with the harsh reality of her new life, finding solace in her Catholic faith and her memories of home.

A quiet, unassuming young man who spends a summer working on the Homeplace. Though initially dismissed by Carrie as plain and homely, he possesses a steady, gentle nature. He develops strong religious convictions, identifying as a "No Heller" Baptist who believes in universal salvation.

A Black doctor treating patients in the coal mining communities. He introduces C. J. to socialist ideology and faces significant prejudice from the local white population, though his medical skills remain in high demand by desperate families.

Carrie's older brother, who pursues formal education to prepare himself for the modern world. He aligns his interests with the powerful coal operators, eventually securing a position as a superintendent. His corporate ambitions often put him at odds with his family's rural roots.

A wealthy landowner whose property, Justice Farm, has not been bought out by the coal companies. He owns several businesses in the independent town of Annadel. Though he profits from the coal boom, he feels guilty about the industry's impact on his neighbors.

Ermel's son and Rondal's close friend. He enjoys the privileges of his family's wealth, spending time in local gambling rooms and brothels. He is generally carefree but gradually engages with the community's rising political tensions.

Rondal's younger brother, who endures the grueling labor of the coal mines from a young age. He develops a hardened exterior in response to his environment and harbors deep resentment toward the coal operators.

A coal miner deeply in debt to the company store. The crushing weight of his circumstances forces him to pull his young sons out of school to work alongside him in the dangerous mines.

Rondal's mother. She frequently cries over the dangerous conditions her husband and sons face daily in the coal mines, bearing the emotional toll of their poverty.

Carrie's traditional father. He believes women should be demure and focused on marriage, putting him at odds with Carrie's sharp tongue and independent nature. He seeks to profit by selling the farm's timber to the coal company.

Carrie's older sister. She stays on the family farm and embraces a more traditional path than Carrie, quickly drawing the romantic attention of the local teacher.

An Italian immigrant and coal miner. He avoids the dangerous work in the mines because his boss values his skills on the company baseball team. He drinks heavily and acts violently toward his family.

A wealthy coal mine operator whose wife lives in Philadelphia. He employs Rosa as a maid and keeps Mario on his company's baseball team to avoid sending him into the mines. He collects butterflies in glass cases.

A schoolteacher who introduces Carrie to literature but falls in love with her older sister, Flora. He encourages Miles to pursue higher education.