Characters
Kunta Kinte
Kunta Kinte, known as "the African," is the progenitor of Alex Haley's family line in America. Born in Juffure, Gambia in 1750 to Binta and Omoro Kinte, Kunta is captured at seventeen while cutting wood for a drum and transported to Annapolis, Maryland, where he is sold into slavery. He earns the derogatory name "Toby" from his master but insists on being recognized as Kintay, retaining his clan name to maintain his identity. Despite being captured four times during escape attempts, Kunta chooses to preserve his fertility over total freedom, sacrificing half his foot to avoid castration. At thirty-nine, he marries Bell, a cook on Master Waller's plantation. Together they have a daughter, Kizzy, whom they imbue with a strong sense of African heritage and self-worth.
Kunta's deep spiritual fortitude is evident as he remains a devout Muslim amidst Christian influences, resisting the consumption of pork. His life story forms the backbone of the narrative, influencing his descendants with his legacy of resilience and the pursuit of freedom. His attempts to adapt to his new life, the friendships he forms, such as with the Fiddler, and his refusal to adopt the identity imposed upon him emphasize his resistance. Though his African ways sometimes frustrate Bell, their relationship is characterized by deep love and respect.
Through Kunta’s experiences, readers encounter the brutal realities of the slave ship, the New World’s strangeness, and the struggle to maintain dignity amidst oppression. His story is passed down through generations, becoming the oral history that ultimately inspires Alex Haley’s quest to uncover his ancestry.
Kunta's influence extends through his daughter Kizzy, to whom he teaches Mandinka words and cultural practices. He is devastated when she is sold away after helping her lover escape. His life story underscores the theme of freedom and dignity, offering a lens through which to scrutinize misconceptions about historical figures and events, such as Thomas Jefferson's private views on slavery.
Bell
Bell, originally the cook on Master Waller's plantation, becomes Kunta’s wife. Despite her initial frustration with Kunta’s African practices and her adherence to the norms of the enslaved community, Bell shares a loving and respectful relationship with him. She is deeply affected by the sale of their daughter, Kizzy, and mourns the loss profoundly. Bell's past experiences, including the sale of her two daughters from a previous marriage, fuel her cautious nature and fear of further family disruption.
Though Bell is depicted as one-dimensional, her character illustrates the internal conflicts faced by those trying to reconcile their past with their present realities. Her resilience and strength are evident in her efforts to maintain family unity amidst the constant threat of separation.
Kizzy
Kizzy, the daughter of Kunta Kinte and Bell, inherits her father’s dreams and teachings. Sold to the cruel Tom Lea after aiding her love Noah in his escape, she endures great hardship, including being raped by Lea, resulting in the birth of her son, George. She raises George with the pride of being Kunta Kinte’s grandson, instilling in him the familial values passed down from her father. Kizzy learns to read and write, but her literacy becomes a liability, leading to her family's separation.
Chicken George
Chicken George, Kizzy's son with Tom Lea, earns his nickname through his expertise in managing Lea’s fighting cocks. Despite inheriting some of his white father’s vices, George remains connected to his black heritage, thanks to Kizzy’s teachings. He is a flamboyant and resourceful figure who ultimately gains his freedom. Although absent often and unfaithful to his wife Matilda, George is a caring father. His journey for freedom is marked by...
(This entire section contains 1303 words.)
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adversity, including being forced to work in England and losing his savings in a cockfight, prompting him to strive for the emancipation of his family. Upon his return, and after the Civil War, he reunites with his family in Tennessee but dies shortly after Matilda's death.
Tom Murray
Tom Murray, son of Chicken George, embodies the values of dignity and racial pride instilled by his predecessors. A straightforward and principled man, he rejects societal pressures by refusing to let his daughter Elizabeth marry a mixed-race man, upholding the family’s legacy of racial purity. Tom becomes a blacksmith and cleverly circumvents discriminatory laws to operate his business, showcasing his boldness and creativity.
Cynthia Murray Palmer
Cynthia, Tom Murray's daughter and Alex Haley's grandmother, plays a pivotal role in preserving the family's oral history. After her husband’s death, she gathers the female Murrays to recount family stories, leaving a lasting impression on her grandson, Alex. Despite objections from her daughter Bertha, Cynthia remains committed to sharing the stories of their ancestors, which fuel Alex’s later research and writing.
Georgia Anderson
Georgia Anderson, the last of the "graying ladies," perpetuates the family narrative into Alex Haley’s generation. A respected yet spirited elder, she encourages Haley’s quest to trace his roots back to Africa. Her death coincides with the moment Haley arrives in Juffure, suggesting a mystical connection to the family’s history.
Alex Haley
Alex Haley, the author of Roots, is the great-great-great-great-grandson of Kunta Kinte. Growing up with the family legends, Haley embarks on a twelve-year journey of research, inspired by the stories of his ancestors. His dedication to uncovering his lineage culminates in the publication of Roots, which combines historical authenticity with a personal narrative, highlighting the enduring impact of Kunta Kinte’s legacy.
Nyo Boto
Nyo Boto, Kunta’s grandmother, is a formidable figure who cares deeply for the village children and shows no fear. She gives Kunta a protective charm when he leaves the village, symbolizing her enduring influence in his life.
The Fiddler
The Fiddler, a vibrant character, serves as a bridge for Kunta into the world of the enslaved community. He is "half-free," having lost his original master, and stays close to another for protection. His musical talent allows him to play at various events, and he becomes an important source of information for the slaves about broader political events. Despite saving money to buy his freedom, he is heartbroken to learn his efforts are in vain, illustrating the harsh realities of the slave system. His friendship with Kunta is marked by camaraderie and mutual support.
Simon Haley
Simon Haley, Alex Haley’s father, transitions from a railroad worker to a professor. His life is marked by resilience following the early death of his wife, and his legacy is captured in the poignant conclusion of Roots with the account of his funeral.
Ol' George Johnson
Ol' George Johnson, a white beggar who becomes an overseer on the Murray plantation, earns the slaves' respect through hard work and fair treatment. He integrates into the black community, ultimately sharing in their struggles and triumphs as they move to Henning.
Binta Kinte
Binta Kinte is the mother of Kunta and his siblings, Lamin, Suwadu, and Madi. Her role in the family underscores the importance of maternal influence in Kunta’s early life.
Janneh Kinte
Janneh, Kunta's uncle, is notable for his extensive travels across Africa before settling and founding a village with his brother Saloum.
Lamin Kinte
Lamin, Kunta's younger brother, joins Kunta on adventures in search of gold, demonstrating the strong familial bonds within the Kinte family.
Omoro Kinte
Omoro, Kunta’s father, imparts traditional wisdom and values to Kunta, shaping his understanding of responsibility and bravery. His teachings and example foster Kunta's enduring sense of identity and resilience.
Saloum Kinte
Saloum, Janneh’s brother and Kunta’s uncle, shares in the family’s legacy of exploration and settlement, contributing to the rich oral history that is passed down through the generations.
Yaisa Kinte
Yaisa, Kunta’s grandmother, provides early nurturing and storytelling, integral to Kunta’s development and his first confrontation with loss when she passes away.
