LIST OF CHARACTERS

Major Characters

John Grimes

The teenaged son of Elizabeth, he is intelligent and sensitive. The novel traces his growth from childhood to adolescence.

Gabriel Grimes

Step-father of John, he is a hypocrite. As a dean of the church at Harlem, he appears respectful and just but nurtures feelings of prejudice against John and behaves sternly with the boy.

Elizabeth Grimes

JohnÂ’s mother and GabrielÂ’s second wife. In youth, she elopes with Richard and gives birth to his child. After RichardÂ’s death, she marries Gabriel.

Florence

Sister of Gabriel, she is a woman of character and principles. She is unlucky as a daughter and a wife but takes the responsibility of acting as GabrielÂ’s conscience keeper.

Minor Characters

Deborah

The unfortunate teenager who is raped and discarded by a white man. She is selfless and devout. She gives moral support to Gabriel after the death of the latterÂ’s mother and later, marries him.

Esther

The charming girl who ensnares Gabriel to share a relationship with her and later, gives birth to his child. She works as a cook in the same house where Gabriel works as a helper.

Royal

The illegitimate son of Gabriel and Esther. In adolescence, he lands into trouble and gets killed by white youth in Chicago.

Roy

Son of Gabriel and Elizabeth, he loves life and is daring. He hates his father for imposing his authority on him and restricting his freedom.

Elisha

The young and handsome preacher at the Baptist church at Harlem, he is sensible and serene. He acts as a guide to John and helps him get salvation.

Ella Mae

The charming teenager who attends the service at the church at Harlem with her grand mother. When she becomes friendly with Elisha, the elders in the church warn her and her companion and separate them.

Sarah

JohnÂ’s kid sister, she is sprightly and talkative.

Table of Contents | Printable Version