Arnold Blevins

Arnold Blevins is a nine-year-old boy with developmental disabilities, raised by his mother, Bet. The story captures the day when he moves from his mother's apartment to his new residence at Parkinsville State Hospital. Arnold is depicted as small yet "strong and wiry," with "thin skin, almost transparent." He has "large, glassy eyes" and a look that makes him seem older, described as "pinched, strained, tired." His facial expression rarely changes. Readers learn that he experiences fits, often having violent tantrums that have become challenging for his mother to handle. He gets bored easily, and when he does, he tends to become disruptive. Arnold loves chewing gum and sometimes swallows it despite being told not to. He often views familiar objects as if they are unfamiliar or entirely new. New things "hold no meaning for him." Although he seems unable to form attachments, he does connect with certain items, like his little "red duffel coat." However, he seems unaware of most human connections, including the long-standing relationship with Mrs. Puckett, a neighbor who has been babysitting him since birth.

Avery Blevins

Avery Blevins is Bet Blevins's estranged husband, who left her and their son, Arnold, a few weeks after discovering that Arnold was mentally disabled.

Bet Blevins

Bet Blevins is the struggling single mother of Arnold, a nine-year-old with developmental disabilities, whom she can no longer care for. The story largely reflects Bet's perspective, portraying her as a woman who primarily finds "comfort in enduring." Her strength of character has enabled her to cope with life alongside Arnold, without family support, for many years. Bet's decisions have required perseverance. She endured a hasty marriage to Avery, who abandoned her and Arnold shortly after the boy was diagnosed as mentally disabled, and she has faced the challenge of raising Arnold alone. Bet fluctuates between blaming Avery for their son's condition and holding herself responsible. She believes she "never could do anything as well as most people," a sense of inadequacy that extends to her guilty belief in her role in her son's biological condition, and now, her social role as Arnold’s mother. Bet is preoccupied with making Arnold look presentable, clean, and loved on this day when she is taking him to live at the state hospital. Although the facility promises proper and continuous care for him, many of Bet’s actions throughout the day indicate her uncertainty about this decision.

Much of Bet's character is unveiled through her memories. These recollections allow the reader to understand the hardship and loneliness she has faced. In many respects, Bet romanticizes her earlier life, describing it as ‘‘beautifully free and spacious.’’ Yet, she acknowledges that even then, she was destined to live with resilience and endurance, ‘‘as if standing staunch were a virtue.’’ This strength she maintained over years of adversity has taken a significant toll on her. Ultimately, to cope with the pain of loss, she decides to detach herself and become an observer of life, rather than actively participating in it.

Mrs. Puckett

Mrs. Puckett is the Blevins's neighbor who looked after Arnold from his birth until he grew too big for her to handle. She becomes emotional as she hands Bet cookies for Arnold and watches him leave his home for the final time.