Dec 2, 2008

The Optimist's Daughter | Characters

The central character in The Optimist's Daughter is Laurel McKelva Hand, but since she is also the narrative voice, her personality must be deduced largely from her actions and her reactions to other characters. Somewhat condescending toward Fay and others whose status she considers inferior, Laurel has always taken for granted her relationships with her family and with the people of Mount Salus. She has reacted to the challenge of her mother's powerful personality by making a life for herself in the North, but she considers herself a dutiful daughter, remaining by her father's...