Chicha

Chicha (the local "Fanticized" pronunciation of the English word ‘‘teacher’’) is the village schoolteacher and the story's narrator. She occupies a distinctive role as a Westernized individual living in the traditional Fanti village of Bamso. Her "outsider" viewpoint on the village's events and customs offers non-Fanti readers a relatable perspective. Consequently, the unique local traditions concerning marriage are scrutinized from this Western outlook. At the story's outset, Chicha visits Maami Ama at her home to discuss her son Kwesi and her troubled marriage. The following day, Chicha attends the divorce proceedings during her students' recess. Upon returning to the school, she discovers all the children have left and finds them gathered around Kwesi, who has been bitten by a snake. After Kwesi's death, Chicha finds Maami Ama mourning at home.

Kodjo Fi

Kodjo Fi is Maami Ama's husband, depicted as "a selfish and bullying man, whom no decent woman ought to have married.’’ Despite Maami Ama being his first wife, he has neglected her, allocated her the worst piece of land to farm, and isolated her from his family throughout their seven-year marriage. During the divorce proceedings, he is clearly favored over Maami Ama, securing custody of their only child and avoiding a fee he should have paid her.

Kwesi

Kwesi, a ten-year-old boy, is Maami Ama's only child and a favorite of Chicha. He is frequently described as a beautiful child, with comments such as "quite tall for his age," "his skin was as smooth as shea-butter and as dark as charcoal," "his black hair was as soft as his mother's," and "his eyes were of the kind that always remind one of a long dream on a hot afternoon.’’ The narrator notes, ‘‘It is indecent to dwell on a boy's physical appearance, but then Kwesi's beauty was indecent.’’ Following his parents' divorce, he is set to move from his mother's house to live with his father's family. Shortly after the divorce proceedings, Kwesi is discovered lying on the ground, surrounded by other schoolchildren, having been bitten by a snake. Despite being treated for days by both a traditional medicine man and a Western doctor, he ultimately dies.

Maami Ama

Maami Ama is the mother of Kwesi, her only child. At the beginning of the story, she recounts to Chicha the misfortunes of her seven-year marriage to Kodjo Fi. Despite being his first wife, she was assigned the poorest piece of land to cultivate and was ostracized by his family. Though she loves her son deeply, she does not object when, due to the divorce, custody of Kwesi is awarded to his father. She also remains silent about not receiving the financial settlement her ex-husband owes her. After Kwesi's death, Chicha finds Maami Ama grieving in her home. From Chicha's viewpoint, Maami Ama symbolizes the extent to which women in this traditional society accept unjust treatment without resistance.