George is an aging landowner with Northern roots who lives in the fictional town of Old Ox, Georgia. He suffers from a bad hip that affects his mobility and struggles with feelings of inadequacy. Deeply affected by the reported death of his son, he distances himself from his wife and offers two newly freed brothers a job clearing his forest to start a peanut farm.

Isabelle is a mild-mannered Southern socialite and homemaker struggling to cope with the reported loss of her only child in the Civil War. She isolates herself in her son's upstairs bedroom and withdraws from social obligations. Upon discovering Landry stealing socks from her clothesline, she responds with quiet empathy rather than fear.

Caleb is a young Confederate soldier who returns to Old Ox bearing the emotional and physical scars of war. He possesses a fragile constitution and feels alienated from his parents' expectations. Having served away from the front lines, he carries immense guilt over his wartime actions and struggles to integrate back into the community.

Prentiss is a young, newly emancipated Black man seeking safe passage to the North. He serves as the primary speaker and protector for his silent brother. He accepts George's offer to work the land as a pragmatic step toward saving enough money for travel, remaining cautious of white landowners based on his past enslavement.

Landry is a formerly enslaved young man who survived severe physical abuse at Majesty's Palace, which left him with a broken jaw. He communicates entirely without speaking, choosing silence as an exercise of his newfound freedom. He prefers wandering the wilderness alone on Sundays and finds comfort in the natural environment around the Walker farm.

August is a Confederate soldier from a wealthy, respected family in Old Ox. He served guarding railways alongside Caleb rather than fighting on the front lines. He is highly concerned with his family's status and reputation within the Southern aristocracy, which dictates his choices upon returning home.

Ted is the wealthy owner of Majesty's Palace, an opulent but decaying plantation bordering the Walker property. He clings aggressively to pre-war Southern customs and resents the Emancipation Proclamation. He views his formerly enslaved workers as his personal property and attempts to intimidate his neighbors into complying with his rules.

Ezra is a pragmatic shopkeeper who previously managed finances for George's parents. He is highly critical of the influx of freedmen and poor soldiers flooding the town. He prioritizes business and land acquisition over sentimentality, frequently warning George about the social consequences of his choices.

Wade is a prominent, well-connected businessman in Old Ox who resides on Mayor's Row. He frequently hosts galas and maintains a large estate. He prioritizes his family's unblemished public reputation above all else, using his influence to control local narratives and secure a wealthy marriage for his son.

Mildred is a widow and Isabelle's most steadfast companion in Old Ox. She frequently checks on the Walker household and shares local gossip. She provides a practical, grounded perspective that counters the pretentiousness of the town's elite women.

Clementine is a sex worker who lives in a poor section of town in a structure that appears dilapidated on the outside but is luxurious inside. She serves as an empathetic listener for George, offering him advice and understanding without judgment.

General Glass is a Union leader tasked with rebuilding Old Ox and forming a city council. He attempts to recruit local landowners to help stabilize the town but frequently compromises with wealthy Southern loyalists to maintain peace.

Lamar is the newly appointed sheriff of Old Ox and a former patroller who used to hunt escaped enslaved individuals. He is inept at true investigative work and prefers to dismiss crimes as accidents to avoid angering the local elite.

Gail works as a hand and overseer at Majesty's Palace. He physically enforces Morton's rules and patrols the property lines, acting as the muscle behind Morton's demands.

Ridley is George Walker's donkey. The animal faithfully carries George across his property and into town, serving as a quiet companion to the aging landowner who suffers from limited mobility.