Miss Amelia is a physically strong, self-reliant woman who rejects traditional gender expectations. She is comfortable lifting heavy objects, running her own business, and living in sparse, unadorned quarters. Her solitary life completely changes when a distant cousin arrives, prompting her to open her space to the town and pamper her new companion.

Cousin Lymon is a short man with a severe curvature of the spine. He thrives on social interaction and uses his dynamic with Miss Amelia to secure a comfortable, pampered life. He enjoys commanding attention from the townspeople and taking advantage of his cousin's resources to decorate his room and avoid work.

Marvin is a morally corrupt man with a cruel streak. He briefly changed his behavior to court Miss Amelia, but returned to his violent ways after she rejected him shortly into their marriage. He comes back to town with a vendetta against his former wife.

Frances is a 13-year-old piano student previously labeled a 'wunderkind' by her instructor. She struggles with intense anxiety over her fading musical abilities. Her desperate need for validation from her teacher turns her lessons into a source of dread rather than joy.

Mr. Bilderbach is a dedicated piano teacher who treats Frances as a surrogate daughter. He and his wife have no children of their own, leading him to invest heavily in Frances's life, from buying her graduation dresses to hosting her for overnight stays. His deep affection inadvertently heightens Frances's performance anxiety.

Bitsy is a small, intense horse jockey who drinks heavily to cope with a tragic accident that permanently injured his best friend. He feels profoundly alienated by the lack of sympathy shown by the wealthy men who profit off the dangerous work of jockeys.

Mr. Brook is an introverted music professor at Ryder College who prefers to observe his colleagues from a distance. His quiet, predictable life is disrupted by Madame Zilensky, whose eccentric behaviors both amuse and unsettle him.

Madame Zilensky is a famed musician and new faculty member. She lives a sparse, work-obsessed existence, barely furnishing her house while dedicating all hours to her symphony. She frequently tells outlandish, fictitious stories about her past travels to add excitement to her lonely reality.

John is a middle-aged man who returns to America for his father's funeral. The trip forces him to confront his fear of aging and his deep sense of isolation. Seeing his ex-wife's happy new life makes him realize he has been emotionally withdrawn from his current partner.

Martin is a father who must take on an increasingly large domestic role due to his wife's struggles with alcohol. He fiercely loves his family but wrestles with resentment and fear regarding his wife's worsening condition and its impact on their children.

Emily is Martin's wife, a Southern woman struggling to adjust to life in New York away from her support network. Her profound alienation leads her to severe alcohol misuse, compromising her ability to safely parent her children.

The Paper Boy is a young worker navigating the early morning adult world. His youth and naiveté make it impossible for him to comprehend the strange, complex adult philosophy presented to him by an older patron at the café.

The Man is an older, unnamed patron at the café. He attempts to teach the paper boy about his personal 'science' of love, an approach he developed to cope with the agonizing memories of his wife leaving him.

Henry is Marvin Macy's brother. He acts as the bearer of bad news for Miss Amelia, warning her that Marvin is no longer incarcerated.

Heime is a gifted young violinist and Frances's only friend her age. He receives high praise from critics, and his continued success as a prodigy serves as a constant reminder to Frances of her own perceived failures.

Mr. Lafkowitz is a music teacher who works alongside Mr. Bilderbach. He trains Heime on the violin and visits the Bilderbach home to practice music.

McGuire is a jockey and Bitsy's best friend. He recently broke his hip and leg on the track, an injury that ends his racing career and leaves one leg two inches shorter than the other.

Sylvester is Bitsy Barlow's horse trainer. He is a pragmatic man more concerned with money and racing performance than human tragedy, viewing Bitsy's emotional breakdown as a threat to his racing viability.

Simmons is a bookie who profits from horse races. He maintains an expression caught between fear and greed, dismissing Bitsy's heartbreak entirely.

Elizabeth is John Ferris's ex-wife, whom he runs into during his trip to New York. She has moved on and built a happy new domestic life with her current husband and children, highlighting the stark contrast to John's loneliness.

Bill is Elizabeth's pleasant new husband. He welcomes John into their home, completely comfortable with hosting his wife's former spouse.

Jeannine is John Ferris's romantic partner. Although they have not fully committed to each other, John realizes during his trip that he wants to build a true family with her upon his return.

Valentin is Jeannine's six-year-old son. He becomes the focal point of John Ferris's sudden desire to connect emotionally and build a family.

Andy is Martin and Emily's six-year-old son. He relies on his father for stability and comfort amid his mother's unpredictable behavior, engaging in lighthearted banter about the tooth fairy even during tense evenings.

Marianne is Martin and Emily's toddler daughter. She is highly vulnerable to the household's tension and requires her father's direct intervention to stay safe.

Leo is the owner of the café where the paper boy stops on his route. He provides a silent, steady presence during the strange conversation between the boy and the man.