The Lady is a pale, troubled young woman who seeks supernatural assistance to learn the fate of the family she recently deserted. Plagued by immense guilt and a fear of judgment from her strict Puritan community, she demonstrates deep desperation. She places herself in a vulnerable position of physical supplication, willing to risk her own safety to gain insight into the well-being of the loved ones she left behind.

The Old Woman is a physically decaying figure who possesses mysterious abilities and a malicious disposition. Operating on the fringes of society, she uses a dark cloak and prayers to conjure auditory and visual manifestations from afar. She derives distinct pleasure from the emotional suffering of others, using her unnatural talents to exploit the vulnerability of those who seek her help.

He is a Puritan minister reacting to the sudden absence of his wife. Bound by strict religious codes, he chooses to publicly shame her from the pulpit rather than express private sympathy. He prioritizes communal moral standards over personal grace, reinforcing the unforgiving nature of his religious community.

The child is a severely ill infant left in the care of the Puritan minister when the mother flees. The infant's deteriorating health anchors The Lady's immense guilt and fuels the community's harsh judgment.

He is an elderly man dealing with the emotional fallout of his daughter's desertion. Instead of expressing simple concern for her safety, he focuses heavily on the shame she brought upon his household. His reaction emphasizes the oppressive social standards of their environment.

She is an older woman struggling under the heavy burden of her daughter's scandalous departure. She internalizes the strict community standards, allowing social disgrace to overshadow her maternal affection. Her grief contributes directly to The Lady's overwhelming feelings of failure.