James Benson
James Benson is Twyla’s husband and hails from Newburgh, the town where the latter part of the story unfolds. Described as "comfortable as a house slipper," he represents the kind of stable family life and continuity that Twyla's past lacks.

Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson is the son of Twyla and James. Twyla becomes an activist in the busing controversy when Joseph is sent to a different district to promote racial integration in schools.

Twyla Benson
Twyla is the protagonist and narrator of the story. She spent part of her childhood in an orphanage—not because her parents had passed away, but because her mother preferred to "dance all night" and couldn't care for her. The absence of motherly care is a significant aspect of Twyla's character. She eventually marries into a stable, rooted family and becomes a mother herself. This new role leads her to become involved in the busing controversy, bringing her into conflict with Roberta, a friend from the orphanage she has recently reconnected with.

Twyla's character is often defined by her relationship with Roberta, which frequently highlights their differences. Their divide over the busing issue underscores the central theme of racial disparity. Despite their different races and, as the story progresses, different economic statuses, Twyla and Roberta share underlying similarities and experiences—especially concerning their relationships with their mothers—that hint at the potential for understanding and friendship. However, the story demonstrates that this potential is fragile due to societal and cultural pressures that discourage interracial friendships.

Big Bozo
Big Bozo is the nickname for Mrs. Itkin, who is responsible for overseeing Twyla and Roberta during their stay at St. Bonny’s shelter. Despite being their caretaker, she lacks warmth and maternal qualities. The girls bond over their mutual dislike for Big Bozo.

Roberta Fisk
Roberta is Twyla’s friend and the source of the main conflict in the story. The two girls meet while staying at an orphanage, despite both having living mothers. Roberta’s mother is a strict, religious woman who is too ill to care for her. The shared experience of having mothers unable to care for them forms the basis of their connection and empathy. However, their racial differences ultimately strain their friendship. When they first reunite years after leaving the orphanage, Roberta snubs Twyla. The next time they meet, twelve years later, Roberta is married to a wealthy executive and is more cordial. Now both mothers themselves, their racial differences manifest in opposing views on the busing controversy affecting their town. Their conflict is further symbolized by their differing recollections of Maggie, a racially ambiguous mute woman who worked at the orphanage.

Mrs. Itkin
See Big Bozo

Maggie
Maggie works in the kitchen at St. Bonny’s, the orphanage where Twyla and Roberta meet. She is mute and bowlegged, having been raised in an institution herself. One of Twyla’s most vivid memories of St. Bonny’s is when Maggie fell in the orchard, and the older girls laughed at her while Twyla and Roberta did nothing to help. During an argument over the busing controversy, Roberta claims that they both kicked Maggie that day and refers to her as a black woman, which confuses Twyla since she never thought of Maggie as black. Roberta later confesses they did not kick her but had wanted to. Both women remain uncertain about Maggie’s race, describing her as "sandy-colored." Twyla and Roberta relate to Maggie’s vulnerability and see her as a representation of their mothers, viewing her with a mix of sympathy and anger.

Mary
Mary is Twyla’s mother. Twyla stays at St. Bonny’s because Mary cannot care for her, as she "danced all night." Mary is attractive and affectionate but also irresponsible and neglectful. She contrasts sharply with Roberta’s mother, who is large, stern, and judgmental.

Roberta Norton
See Roberta Fisk

Roberta’s mother
Roberta stays at St. Bonny’s because her mother is too ill to care for her. Roberta’s mother is characterized by her large cross and Bible. She brings Roberta plenty of good food but is cold and refuses to shake hands with Mary.