Pa

Pa is the father, gifted with the ability to read palms and identify colors even while blindfolded. He takes on various roles, such as the man who reaches an understanding of his life during the Sundog ritual. As a character of authority, he embodies the cruel schoolmaster who punishes children for their spelling mistakes and the affluent executive who is the first casualty in the Dance of Death. Pa also appears as a grocer, manipulating a customer's perception of time by the string attached to her parcel. He recites poetry during the Royal Visit and takes on dual roles as both a teacher of a writing class and a student babysitting for a young man without limbs.

Ma

Ma, the mother, is known for blindfolding a child afflicted with measles. She shifts between various roles, acting as the lawyer in the trial against the harsh schoolmaster and announcing the significance of colors at the commencement of the “color” acts. She is portrayed as the sharp-tongued antisuffragist mistress of a Winnipeg boardinghouse, as well as a young boarder residing there. Ma transforms into the Wind Lady, dancing with her rain doll, and a wealthy young woman whose luxurious lifestyle, including a swimming pool and vacations in Antigua, cannot exempt her from the Dance of Death.

Gramp

Gramp, the grandfather, embodies numerous personas, including a bear threatening a young girl picking berries and James McIntyre, the poet known for his Ingeroll cheese verses. He takes on the identity of Mr. Winemeyer, a reclusive sculptor hermit, and Professor Button, a pedantic academic who criticizes religious faith. However, his linguistic prowess is overshadowed by Bible Sal’s ability to speak in tongues. Gramp is also Tecumseh during the schoolmaster’s trial, the Minister at a Christening, and the Death King in the Dance of Death scene.

Gram

Gram, the grandmother, plays a multifaceted role, becoming a Sundog who guides the father towards self-awareness during the Sundog ritual. She is Granny Crack, the old beggar woman wandering the countryside, hanging her life's clothing on a line. She serves as a music teacher and an aged farm wife dispensing horse soup. At the Winnipeg boardinghouse, she is a girl, and in the Dance of Death, she transforms into the Death Lady.

Son

Son, the son, is one of the boys on a bicycle expedition who encounters the enigmatic Mr. Winemeyer. He takes the role of a judge in the trial of the severe schoolmaster and assumes the identity of the grocery boy. At the Sundog ritual, he becomes the accuser and is a university student who befriends Bible Sal. Son is also a boarder at the Winnipeg boardinghouse and a young man, deprived of arms and legs, yearning for acceptance and affection.

Niece

Niece, the daughter, is portrayed as a multifaceted character: the girl, the Bride, and Bible Sal. Her devout religious practice drives her to painstakingly transcribe the entire Bible. Bible Sal attends a lecture by Professor Button, who teaches Old Testament studies at University College, University of Toronto. She challenges his skepticism with her newfound ability to speak in tongues. Additionally, she serves as the maid at the Winnipeg boardinghouse.