Characters
Frankie Addams
Frankie Addams, often called Frances, is a twelve-year-old tomboy struggling with her identity and self-image. Standing a conspicuous five feet, six inches tall, she is acutely self-conscious about her height and awkward appearance. Her hair, once shorn, has grown back in a style reminiscent of a boy's cut, complementing her preference for boyish clothing and activities like knife-throwing. Feeling out of place in her small hometown, Frankie spends her summer days ensnared in boredom and dreams of adventure.
Her yearning for escape is manifest in her fantasy of joining her brother, Jarvis, and his fiancée, Janice, on their honeymoon and living with them, an impractical plan born from her deep-seated desire for belonging. This fantasy is driven by her sense of isolation and insignificance, exacerbated by her relationships with those around her. Her father, Royal Addams, is friendly yet distant, often absorbed in his work as a jeweler, leaving much of Frankie's upbringing to Berenice, their cook.
Frankie’s interactions with Berenice, who is both a mother figure and a source of friction for her, are complex. Despite their closeness, Frankie’s awareness of Berenice’s status as hired help instills in her a misplaced sense of superiority. Her bond with her seven-year-old cousin, John Henry "Candy" West, is equally complicated; she uses him as a companion to stave off loneliness, though he often exhibits more maturity and insight than she does, particularly regarding social issues. John Henry's untimely death from meningitis leaves a profound impact on Frankie, further fueling her longing for meaningful connections.
Frankie’s friendships do not reach a level of sincerity until she meets Mary Littlejohn, whose companionship marks a pivotal change. Mary, with her love for art and poetry, provides Frankie with the acceptance and camaraderie she has long craved.
Frankie's innocence and naivety are tested when she encounters a red-haired soldier who, mistaking her for older, invites her for drinks. This uncomfortable situation forces Frankie to confront her lack of worldly experience, ultimately leaving her wiser yet unscathed.
Berenice Sadie Brown
Berenice Sadie Brown, the Addams' African-American cook, is a nurturing presence in Frankie's life, stepping into the maternal role left vacant by Frankie's deceased mother. A stout woman with a philosophical outlook, Berenice observes the racial divides and dynamics in her community with a discerning eye. Her physical characteristics are distinctive, notably her flat face and blue glass eye, which she sometimes replaces with a black eye-patch. Despite these peculiarities, her maternal essence remains dominant.
Having been married four times, Berenice has endured significant personal loss, particularly with her first husband, Ludie Freedman, whom she loved deeply. Her subsequent marriages were attempts to recapture that happiness but instead brought turmoil, leaving her with a glass eye. Despite her hardships, Berenice retains an optimistic vision for a world without racial barriers and conflict. Her resilience and wisdom deeply influence Frankie as she guides her through life’s complexities, even as she plans to marry her current suitor, T. T. Williams.
Royal Addams
Royal Addams is Frankie's widowed father, a deliberate and absent-minded jeweler in his mid-forties. Set in his ways and conservative in nature, Royal leaves much of Frankie's upbringing to Berenice. Though their relationship is amicable, it lacks the depth and engagement typical of a parent-child bond. Royal's focus on his work often prevents him from truly listening to Frankie, resulting in a superficial connection that contributes to her feelings of neglect.
Jarvis Addams
Jarvis Addams, Frankie's older brother, is a handsome twenty-one-year-old soldier stationed in Alaska. His return home to marry Janice serves as a catalyst for Frankie's dreams of escape. While Jarvis is not...
(This entire section contains 1146 words.)
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a fully developed character in the narrative, his role is pivotal in highlighting Frankie's misunderstandings about adulthood and her yearning to be a part of his new life. Jarvis is somewhat embarrassed by Frankie's lack of understanding regarding the proprieties of a wedding, underscoring the gap between them.
Janice Williams
Janice Williams, Jarvis' fiancée, is an eighteen or nineteen-year-old with a fresh-faced, engaging personality. She is acutely aware of Frankie's feelings of alienation and makes genuine efforts to include her, assuring Frankie of her welcome in their lives after the wedding. Janice's sensitivity and warmth provide Frankie with a glimpse of familial acceptance and connection, which she deeply yearns for.
T. T. Williams
T. T. Williams, Berenice’s friend and suitor, is a large man of about fifty who presents a pompous demeanor, dressing like a church deacon with a black suit and a red emblem. Despite his intimidating appearance, T. T. is timid and overly polite, shaped by the racial inequalities he has experienced. Active in community affairs, he serves as a guardian to Berenice's foster brother, Honey Camden Brown, and participates in local events such as collecting donations for Sis Laura’s funeral.
Honey Camden Brown
Honey Camden Brown, Berenice's foster brother, is a slender, light-skinned black man in his twenties with a rebellious nature. His demeanor is a stark contrast to T. T. Williams’; Honey is outspoken and sometimes abrasive, his behavior a manifestation of societal exclusion. Despite his stylish attire and intelligent speech, Honey harbors deep-seated anger over racial injustices. A tragic figure, his refusal of service and subsequent reaction lead to his arrest and suicide in jail, marking a poignant end to his struggle for dignity and freedom.
John Henry “Candy” West
John Henry "Candy" West is Frankie’s seven-year-old cousin, characterized by his delicate features and gold-rimmed spectacles, lending him a distinguished look. Despite his youth, John Henry displays remarkable maturity and insight, often surpassing Frankie’s understanding of social issues. His unexpected death from meningitis profoundly affects Frankie, who grapples with his absence and the compounded grief of Honey's suicide. This sense of loss propels Frankie towards new friendships, as she seeks to fill the void left by his passing.
Big Mama
Big Mama, Berenice's elderly mother, is a bedridden figure reputed for her "second sight." Her presence in the community is significant, as people, including Frankie, seek her fortune-telling services. Despite her frail state, Big Mama’s predictions hold considerable influence over those around her, leaving Frankie both intrigued and unsettled by her foresight.
Mary Littlejohn
Mary Littlejohn enters Frankie's life as a source of normalcy and camaraderie. Their fateful meeting at a raffle quickly develops into a meaningful friendship, marking a notable change in Frankie's social life. With Mary’s affection for art and poetry, she offers Frankie the acceptance and sense of belonging that she has long sought.
The Red-Haired Soldier
The red-haired soldier represents an adult world that Frankie is unprepared for. When he mistakes her for someone older and invites her for drinks, Frankie is forced to confront her naivety and the dangers that can accompany stepping beyond her youth. The encounter leaves her wiser but unharmed, serving as a valuable experience in her journey towards self-awareness.
