Mary Call Luther, the 14-year-old narrator and protagonist of the novel, is characterized as resourceful, self-reliant, and a problem-solver. She cares little for how she looks, and as the novel progresses, her appearance becomes more and more disheveled and drawn, mirroring her internal state. Her identity as a woman is not particularly meaningful to her; instead, her identities as a Luther and as the new head of household are the most integral aspects of herself, and they are what shape and propel the coming-of-age plot.

Mary Call consistently values family bonds; the goal of keeping her family together motivates her throughout the text, as well as her promises to her late father, Roy Luther. Mary Call speaks her mind and has little self-consciousness as she quips with adults, including with Kiser Pease, a man who is her father’s employer and 16 years her senior. Her remarks are often witty, insightful, and irreverent without being insulting.

She greatly appreciates nature; as this novel is “written” by her, the detailed observations of the land, weather, and flowers highlight her connection to her environment. She uses detailed descriptions of the land to convey her emotional landscape. Throughout the novel, in times of crisis, she reflects on the land’s characteristics and troubles.