Miranda is a Southern girl who begins her journey at eight years old, unable to grasp that adults were once young like her. Her upbringing in a convent in New Orleans alongside her sister Maria introduces her to a restrictive education that she later reflects on with disapproval. Her childhood is dominated by the contrasting memories of Aunt Amy, a figure whose romantic portrayal by her father, Harry, and Uncle Gabriel fascinates her. Yet, the conservative influences of Aunt Eva prevent Miranda from wholly embracing this myth. She is intuitive, drawing insights from indirect clues about her deceased aunt. As she matures, she becomes puzzled by the adults' obsession with the past and eventually concludes she must forge her own path, distinct from the legends of her family. She marries without her father's approval, symbolizing her departure from familial expectations and a quest for personal identity.

Amy is a lingering presence in Miranda and Maria's lives, despite never appearing in the text. Known for her beauty and charm, she is remembered as a dazzling figure who epitomized Southern femininity. Dubbed the most beautiful girl in the South, Amy was a talented rider and dancer, yet her life was fraught with controversy. Her manipulative tendencies, particularly in her relationship with Gabriel, provoke gossip and scandal. Her sudden death, six weeks after marrying Gabriel, fuels rumors and suspicions, including those voiced by Cousin Eva, who suggests Amy's demise was a suicide following a tormented honeymoon. Amy's complex legacy casts a shadow over her family, influencing how they perceive beauty, honor, and morality.

Maria, Miranda’s elder sister by four years, shares many childhood experiences with her, including the convent education in New Orleans. She is equally perplexed by the adult fixation on the past. As a child, Maria mirrors her sister's fascination with the stories and mysteries surrounding their Aunt Amy. However, unlike Miranda, whose marriage sets them on separate paths, Maria's journey is less documented. Her departure from Miranda indicates a divergence in their personal quests, though she remains an integral observer of the family drama.

Gabriel, once passionately engaged to Amy, embodies the archetype of a romantic lover driven by jealousy and suspicion. His early years are marked by poetic expressions of love, but Amy's influence and eventual death lead him down a path of self-destruction. His subsequent marriage to Miss Honey further exacerbates his decline, as his love for horse racing and alcohol consume him. Gabriel's tragic end reflects the destructive nature of obsessive love and romantic idealization.

Eva Parrington is a cousin to Miranda and Maria, whose strict moral outlook and suffragette activism make her a formidable character. Despite her bitterness over her looks, which were unfavorably compared to Amy's, Eva is unwavering in her convictions. Her dedication to women's suffrage sees her imprisoned multiple times, indicative of her fervent commitment to social causes. At Gabriel's funeral, Eva's critical view of Amy as selfish further challenges the mythic narrative surrounding her cousin, revealing the complexities of family dynamics.

The grandmother, a symbol of unending sorrow, is entrenched in nostalgia. Twice a year, she immerses herself in the attic with relics from the past, mourning lost times and family members. Her ritualistic remembrance underscores a family preoccupied with bygone eras, serving as a poignant reminder of the lingering impact of history on personal identity.

Miss Honey, Gabriel's second wife, is distinguished by her moral severity and disdain for her husband’s family. Though not conventionally attractive, her strong character is marked by a disdain for Gabriel's vices, particularly his love of horse racing. Her ironic death before Gabriel emphasizes the...

Great-aunt Keziah stands as a contradiction to the family ideal of beauty, described as fat and unattractive. Her presence highlights the unrealistic standards set by Aunt Amy's legacy, providing a contrast that underscores the diversity within the family line.

Great-Aunt Sally, a non-appearing character, embodies conservative Christian values through her correspondence. She represents a force in opposition to Amy's influence on Miranda and Maria, upholding the family's traditional moral framework.

Harry, the father of Miranda and Maria, idolizes the memory of his sister Amy, associating her beauty with the family's honor. His disappointment in his daughters' appearances stems from unrealistic expectations that they would mirror Amy's allure. His commitment to family honor leads to dramatic actions, such as dueling over Amy's reputation, which subsequently makes him a fugitive in Mexico. Despite these romantic gestures, Harry's perspective is narrowly focused on physical beauty as a measure of worth.