Brack’s Oldest Boy

Brack’s Oldest Boy serves as the narrator and protagonist of this gripping tale. Although his name remains unknown, he is the lens through which we see the challenging life of a poverty-stricken family in the Kentucky mountains. This young boy, though perceptive, often finds himself unable to grasp the full depth of what he witnesses. He harbors a dream to become a veterinarian, showing his aversion to coal mining—a profession determined by the harsh realities faced by his family, especially his mother. He has an older sister, Euly, and a younger brother, Fletch. Tragedy strikes with the death of his baby brother, Green, likely due to malnutrition and respiratory issues, and another baby is born towards the end of the narrative.

Brack Baldridge

Brack Baldridge, the narrator's father, battles not only poverty and depression but also his own generous nature, which compels him to share food with out-of-work miners and needy relatives. This altruism often puts his own family at risk of starvation. Despite his struggles, his humane instincts prevent him from turning away those in need, showcasing a deep empathy that sometimes clashes with his wife's more pragmatic approach.

Alpha Baldridge

Alpha Baldridge, Brack’s resilient wife, is characterized by her fierce determination to prioritize her immediate family’s welfare. In a desperate act to reclaim their resources from freeloading relatives, she relocates her children and belongings to the smokehouse before setting their house ablaze, effectively forcing the relatives to vacate. This bold move underscores her strength and unwavering resolve to secure her children’s future.

Grandmother Middleton

Grandmother Middleton, Alpha’s formidable mother, resides on a small farm where the narrator goes to assist with the harvest. Despite her age, she is a vigorous woman who carries the weight of family secrets. On her deathbed, she confesses to sabotaging Aus Coggins's farm, an act initially attributed to her son, Uncle Jolly. The narrator's extended stay with her for over a year is a testament to his integration into her world of stoic survival.

Uncle Jolly

Uncle Jolly, Alpha’s brother, has a notorious reputation, often spending time in jail. His pardon by the governor follows a heroic act during a prison fire, which, ironically, he admits to igniting himself. This paradoxical bravery and mischief add a complex layer to his character, mirroring the family’s entangled history with Aus Coggins, whom he is rumored to torment in revenge for their father’s death.

Uncle Samp

Uncle Samp is a relative whose lack of ambition is evident in his refusal to work. Initially evicted from the Baldridge home by Alpha’s decisive house fire, he later resurfaces at the coal camp. His eventual marriage to a fortune-teller hints at his whimsical and ungrounded nature, seeking opportunities without commitment.

Euly Baldridge

Euly Baldridge, the narrator’s sister, shares a yearning for education with her siblings. However, their schooling is abruptly halted when the schoolmaster is shot by an irate mountaineer, whose son had been disciplined by the teacher. This incident highlights the volatile environment surrounding their quest for learning.

Harl and Tibb Logan

Harl and Tibb Logan, the narrator’s cousins, are first evicted by Alpha’s fire but later return to work in the mines. They live with the Baldridges until laid off, after which their desperate act of dynamiting the mines leads to their expulsion by the mine boss. Their immature reliance on the Baldridges' hospitality underscores the ongoing strain on the family’s resources.

Uncle Luce

Uncle Luce, initially intended to succeed the narrator as Grandmother Middleton’s farm helper, arrives too late to be of any help with the harvest. His tardiness further exemplifies the continuous...