King MacLain

King MacLain serves as the wandering patriarch of the MacLain family in Morgana, Mississippi. Known for his womanizing and tendency to disappear, his escapades and personality are reminiscent of Zeus, the Greek king of the gods, notorious for his infidelities. King is featured prominently in stories such as “Shower of Gold,” which recounts his courtship of and marriage to Snowdie Hudson and the birth of their twin sons. In "Sir Rabbit," his affair with another Morgana woman is depicted. He returns in “The Wanderers” as an aged man seeking care from Snowdie, yet still showing traces of his earlier defiant nature.

Mrs. Snowdie Hudson MacLain

Snowdie Hudson MacLain, the albino wife of King MacLain, is left to rear their twin sons, Randall and Eugene, on her own due to King’s frequent absences. She takes in boarders to support her family. Her role in the collection spans significant life events, from the birth of her sons in “Shower of Gold” to preparing Katie Rainey’s body for burial in “The Wanderers." Snowdie's experiences reflect the cyclical nature of life in Morgana, as she embodies themes of both birth and death.

Randall MacLain

Randall MacLain, one of King and Snowdie's twin sons, embodies the rebellious nature passed down from his father. His complex personal life, including his troubled marriage to Jinny Love, is explored in “The Whole World Knows.” Despite separating from Jinny Love, his affair with Maideen Sumrall and her subsequent suicide adds to his enigmatic aura. This reputation eventually helps him get elected as mayor of Morgana, suggesting a blend of charisma and notoriety.

Eugene MacLain

Eugene MacLain, Randall’s twin brother, is one of the few from Morgana to leave, relocating to San Francisco. There, he works for Bertsingers’ Jewelers and marries his former landlady, Emma Gaines. Their happiness is marred by the death of their daughter, leading to a shift in their relationship. In “Music from Spain,” Eugene's unexpected behavior includes slapping his wife and wandering the city with a Spanish guitarist. He later returns to Mississippi alone and quietly succumbs to tuberculosis, marking his life with a sense of isolation and tragedy.

Katie Rainey

Katie Rainey, the wife of Fate Rainey, plays a central role in Morgana as the narrator of the collection’s first story, “Shower of Gold.” Her life as a dairymaid selling products to the townspeople is coupled with a reputation for gossip. Married to a man named Fate, her life carries mythic undertones. Katie’s role as a provider and storyteller bestows upon her an earth goddess-like presence. Her narrative introduces the reader to many characters and their interconnected lives, and her funeral marks the collection's conclusion.

Virgie Rainey

Virgie Rainey, daughter of Katie and Fate Rainey, is a spirited and rebellious figure in Morgana. A talented musician, her life is detailed in “June Recital,” which follows her from an exceptional piano student to a mature player performing at local venues. Despite her gifts, societal constraints, exemplified by the withholding of a music scholarship due to her family's status, shape her path. Her desire to leave Morgana is thwarted by familial obligations following her father's death. Ultimately, after her mother’s funeral, Virgie prepares to leave once more, symbolizing her broader vision and understanding of life’s beauty and tragedy.

Miss Eckhart

Miss Eckhart, the German piano teacher residing at the MacLain house, is an outsider in Morgana due to her nationality, religion, and artistic temperament. Her profound influence on Virgie Rainey, sharing a passion for music, links them as fellow outsiders. The community’s decreasing interest in her lessons due to the war leaves her impoverished, ultimately...