Dorinda Oakley

Dorinda Oakley, the daughter of a poor white Virginia farmer. Tall, dark-haired, and radiant-eyed, she is not pretty, but when she smiles, her eyes and mouth reveal an inner warmth. A vein of iron in her enables her to survive Jason’s desertion of her, his marriage to Geneva Ellgood, her own attempt to kill him, the loss of her baby in an accident, the deaths of her parents and of Nathan, and the years of hard work necessary to maintain and improve her dairy farm.

Josiah Oakley

Josiah Oakley, her brother, a personification of futility who seems to Dorinda to ooze failure from the pores of his skin.

Rufus Oakley

Rufus Oakley, another brother who, accused of murdering a neighboring farmer, is saved by his mother’s lying statement that he was at home when the shooting occurred.

Jason Greylock

Jason Greylock, the last member of an old Virginia family. Red-haired and slightly freckled, he is charming to young Dorinda. An inner weakness leads him to desert the pregnant Dorinda and marry Geneva. the same weakness takes him on the road his father has followed, a road to death through drink.

Geneva Ellgood

Geneva Ellgood, later Jason’s wife. She ages rapidly from living with Jason; her mind begins to fail, and she eventually drowns herself.

Nathan Pedlar

Nathan Pedlar, a country farmer and merchant. A tall, lank, homely man of unimpressive personality, Nathan has an instinctive knowledge of wise farm practices. He wisely advises Dorinda in the development of her dairy farm and later marries her. He is killed while trying to save the lives of passengers in a train wreck and is given a hero’s funeral.

Dr. Greylock

Dr. Greylock, Jason’s father. Formerly a man of prominence and owner of a fine farm, he has been for some years drinking his life away and letting the farm go to ruin.

Eudora Abernethy Oakley

Eudora Abernethy Oakley, Dorinda’s mother, who after her husband’s death reveals a suppressed religious mania. After her lie saves Rufus, her conscience drives her insane. She dies in her sleep.

Dr. Faraday

Dr. Faraday, a physician who saves Dorinda’s life after an accident in New York. He later hires her to look after his office and his children.

Aunt Mehitable Green

Aunt Mehitable Green, an old conjure woman and midwife in whose home Dorinda becomes ill and learns she is pregnant.

Elvira Oakley

Elvira Oakley, Josiah’s wife, a scold who is as much a failure as her husband.

John Abner Pedlar

John Abner Pedlar, Nathan’s crippled son, who helps Dorinda farm.

Matthew Fairlamb

Matthew Fairlamb, a retired carpenter, a vigorous and talkative old man.

James Ellgood

James Ellgood, the owner of Green Acres, a flourishing stock farm.

Joshua Oakley

Joshua Oakley, Dorinda’s father, a good, industrious, but ineffectual man.

Rose Milford

Rose Milford, Nathan’s sick wife, a former schoolteacher who faces death by pretending it is not near.