Characters

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Mrs. Dilcie Anderson
A Methodist housewife, Mrs. Dilcie Anderson was not present during the altercation but claims she can provide testimony, having heard all the details from her husband.

Daisy Blunt
Having recently returned to town from the North, Daisy Blunt has quickly become the center of attention for many men. She enjoys flirting and watching them vie for her interest. Although she works as a domestic servant and cannot attend the trial, she meets both Jim and Dave just outside town after it concludes. Initially, she chooses Jim and proposes they live together at her employer's residence. However, when Jim refuses her offer to work as a yard man, she turns to Dave. Yet, Dave prefers singing and dancing. Ultimately, she ends up with neither man.

Marshal Lum Boger
Lum Boger serves as the town Marshal. At the play's beginning, his main task is to disperse the children playing outside Clarke’s store. He is more of a subordinate to Clarke than a law enforcement officer, and most people ridicule him.

Dave Carter
Dave Carter is an entertainer who sings and dances, making his living alongside Jim. He is enamored with Daisy. Lifelong friends, Dave and Jim start quarreling over Daisy. During their fight, Dave lands the first blows but is eventually struck on the head by Jim with a mule bone. After recovering, Dave seeks out Jim, who has been found guilty and exiled from town. Although Daisy initially picks Jim, she later opts for Dave if he secures a job. However, Dave misses his friendship with Jim and their performances. He declines Daisy's proposal and chooses to reunite with Jim.

Elder Childers
Elder Childers, a long-time town resident, serves as the Baptist minister. He is composed and self-assured, ready to take on responsibilities. During the trial, he refutes Simms's arguments by explaining that a mule is related to an ass, making an ass bone a weapon according to the Bible.

The Mrs. Reverend Childers
Mrs. Childers, the minister's wife, is attentive to details.

Joe Clarke
Joe Clarke is both the town's mayor and a store owner. He purchased the land on which the town stands and has been mayor since its founding. After Jim strikes Dave, Clarke orders his arrest and decides to conduct the trial at the Baptist church, where he holds membership. Acting as judge, Clarke declares Jim guilty. He is unpopular among the Methodists, who accuse him of being dishonest.

Though Clarke is both the mayor and the founder of the town, at no point in the play does he truly seem to be in control. He commands his wife and Lum because they rely on him, yet even the women of the town recognize that Clarke is easily swayed and manipulated, and no one respects his authority. As a figure of power, Clarke is merely a target for mockery.

Mrs. Mattie Clarke
Mattie is the wife of the shopkeeper. Joe repeatedly sends her back to work every time she steps out of the store. While her husband mingles on the porch, flaunting his authority, Mattie is the one who actually runs the business.

Ada Lewis
Ada is known as the town's promiscuous woman, and her reputation causes her mother embarrassment.

Della Lewis
Della, Ada's mother, is a Baptist who is regarded as a poor housekeeper.

Teets Miller
Teets is a local girl who was involved with Jim before Daisy's return to town.

Lige Mosely
Mosely is one of the town's gossips.

Willie Nixon
Nixon is one of the Methodist men in town.

Bootsie Pitts
Bootsie is a flirtatious young woman and a friend of...

(This entire section contains 827 words.)

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Teets. Before Daisy came back to town, she was seeing Dave.

Elder Simms
Simms is the Methodist minister who has been in town for only three months. He clashes with Clarke over town management. Aggressive and ambitious, Simms argues in court that Jim's use of a mule bone to hit Dave does not constitute assault, as the Bible suggests a mule bone isn't a weapon.

The Mrs. Reverend Simms
Mrs. Simms is a large woman and the subject of jokes due to her size.

Daisy Taylor
Refer to Daisy Blunt.

Walter Thomas
Thomas is a local gossip who spends time in front of Clarke's store.

Jim Weston
Jim is a guitarist and, along with his friend Dave, makes a living as an entertainer. He is in love with Daisy and competes with Dave for her affection. During a fight, Jim uses a mule bone to strike Dave, knocking him out. He is a Methodist who is somewhat arrogant and aggressive. Jim is more articulate than Dave and eventually convinces Daisy to choose him. However, after winning her over, Jim realizes he doesn't want to pursue a career as a yard worker, as Daisy suggests. He offers to return her to Dave, but his friend also refuses to become a laborer. Like Dave, Jim values his lifelong friendship with his partner more than a relationship with Daisy.

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