Selina Peake DeJong

Selina Peake DeJong transitions from being a schoolteacher to a truck farmer on the outskirts of Chicago. After the tragic murder of her gambler father, nineteen-year-old Selina takes up a teaching position in the Dutch enclave of High Prairie to sustain herself. Her admiration for the beauty of cabbage fields earns her derision from the practical, weary Dutch community. However, her ability to uncover beauty in unexpected places defines her existence, infusing her life with excitement and vitality, ultimately leading her to revive the rundown farm she inherits from her husband. Despite the physical scars left by the grueling farm work, Selina's exuberant spirit, unwavering courage, and astute sense of judgment remain intact. Even in her twilight years, Selina's aura transcends mere style, as noted by her son Dirk’s secretary.

Selina loves her son Dirk deeply, although she harbors regret for his choice to abandon his architectural aspirations for the financial security of banking. She does not wallow in despair over her perceived responsibility for Dirk’s decisions. Instead, she finds fulfillment in the farm life she leads and in the artistic achievements of Roelf Pool, a former student and son of the first family she resided with. Selina perceives life as "velvet," a philosophy imparted by her father who encouraged her to embrace life’s richness, whether it be joyful or sorrowful.

Dirk “So Big” DeJong

Dirk "So Big" DeJong, the cherished son of Pervus and Selina DeJong, received his nickname during his infancy. He is known for his intelligence, charm, and appreciation of those around him. Unlike his steadfast mother, Dirk’s character is shaped by choices made amidst relatively easy circumstances. He leaves a promising friendship with a farm girl for fraternity life at a new university in Chicago, only to pursue architecture at Cornell due to his disdain for the ostentatious buildings constructed by the newly affluent.

Faced with the inability to earn a living as an architect before World War I, Dirk turns to bond sales, adopting the affluent lifestyle he once questioned. His inability to abandon this lifestyle prevents him from returning to architecture, leading his mother to argue that he traded his inherited love of beauty for monetary success, described as a "mess of pottage." Dirk settles for a relationship with Paula Arnold Storm, a wealthy married woman, instead of pursuing love with Dallas O’Mara, an artist who embodies traits similar to Selina. Dirk's decisions ultimately limit his potential to merely "so big."

Pervus DeJong

Pervus DeJong is a kind-hearted but otherwise ineffectual Dutch farmer who marries Selina. At an auction, he purchases Selina's artfully prepared yet modest boxed supper, spending an exorbitant ten dollars, a sum beyond his means. Pervus seeks Selina's guidance in learning to read and perform arithmetic. Despite his farm being the least successful in the area, Selina falls in love with him, charmed by his gentle demeanor. However, Pervus remains resistant to the farming innovations Selina proposes, stubbornly adhering to traditional methods. His refusal to adapt hastens his demise from pneumonia.

Paula Arnold Storm

Paula Arnold Storm is the granddaughter of August Hemple, a meatpacking magnate, and daughter of Selina's school friend, Julie. She is married to a much older Chicago businessman, yet harbors feelings for Dirk. Paula has known Dirk since their adolescence, but opts to marry an extremely wealthy man when Dirk seems destined to struggle as an architect. Later, she manipulates Dirk’s financial career with possessive control. Paula is a slim, dark-haired, vivacious socialite, whose discontent is evident in her restless, fidgety hands. Her persona starkly contrasts with both Selina and Dallas O’Mara, the artist Dirk loves but cannot have.