Depicted as a beautiful and privileged member of the Mitford family, Diana makes controversial choices that reflect her complex character and aspirations. The novel explores her relationship with Sir Oswald Mosley and her position within the socio-political landscape of her time.

Unity is portrayed as a character who embodies the trauma and radicalization experienced within the familial and political dynamics of the period. Her journey from a marginalized teenager to a conflicted young woman is explored with sympathy, reflecting historical elements alongside fictional inner thoughts.

These are the Mitford parents, presented through their nicknames as somewhat peripheral, conservative figures whose declining social status symbolizes the larger decline of traditional aristocratic power. They provide a historical backdrop and are characterized by their detachment and reliance on societal norms.