Characterization

Sophie

Sophie, the protagonist of the novel, was born in Haiti. She was conceived as a result of the horrifying rape of her mother, Martine, in the cane fields. Prior to relocating to New York to live with her mother when she was just 12 years old, Sophie spent the majority of her youth living with Tantie Atie, the sister of her mother. When Sophie grows older, she's made aware of the cruel event that lead to birth. She's also greeted by her mother's stories of testing and the 'cult of virginity.' She befriended her neighbour, Joseph, who later became her lover. Sophie eloped with Joseph and gave birth to her daughter, Brigette.

Martine

Martine was born in Haiti and experienced the cultural virginity testing. She was raped at the age of sixteen and gave birth to Sophie in Haiti when she was just a teen. She migrated to the United States in hopes of making a better life for her family but was constantly greeted with nightmares. When Sophie was 12, she was finally summoned to live with her mother. Martine was just a stranger to Sophie when she arrived in Brooklyn, New York. Martine started testing Sophie when she noticed that Sophie fancied Joseph. When Martine thought Sophie lost her virginity, she kicked her out. As a consequence of the abandonment, Martine and Sophie didn't speak for years. Martine and Sophie reunited in Haiti after years of not speaking. Martine and Sophie decided to bury the hatchet and turn over a new leaf. After telling Sophie she was pregnant, Martine committed suicide by using an old, rusty knife to stab herself seventeen (17) times.

Tantie Atie

Tante Atie was born in Haiti. She is the daughter of Grandme lfe, Martine's sister and Sophie's aunt. She is a caring and supportive woman. She is the caregiver of Sophie while Martine is away. Tante Atie has her own struggles in Haiti. She is a poor, uneducated woman who is still trying to overcome the betrayal of her lover and friend. Donald Augustine, the man she loves, promises to marry her but then betrayed her by marrying another woman. Tantie Atie is now forced to watch the man that she loves living with someone else. Her close friend, Louise, who would normally teach her read abruptly leaves the country. When Sophie moves back in with her mother after leaving for New York, Tantie Atie becomes very depressed. She resorted to drinking alcohol and spending evenings out. She experiences the loss of her sister towards the book's conclusion.

Grandma Ife

Grandme Ife is the matriarch of the Caco Family. She was born in Haiti and uses stories and folklores to educate. She is the mother of Tante Atie and Martine, Sophie's grandmother and great-grandmother of Brigitte. Grandme Lfe is a supportive, wise and traditional mother. She has an obsession with death and is heads on ready for her own departure. She implemented the virginity testing on both Tante Atie and Martine because of what was done to her by her mother thus creating a generational trauma. Grandma Ife believes that testing is a way to ensure sexual purity.

Joseph

Joseph is an African American musician who lives in New York and can speak creole. He is Sophie's neighbor who eventually becomes her husband. He is old enough to be her father and would normally play tunes for her. Sophie is treated with kindness, love, and care by Joseph, but he is unaware of the extent of her suffering. Sophie and Joseph conceive a daughter together.

Marc

Marc is an American lawyer in New York. He loves his Haitian mother’s cooking and would search for restaurants that is cooks closely to his mother’s food. He lives in New York, and he is Martine’s lover. She is a supportive boyfriend to Martine, but he is unable to connect with her. He also treats Sophie as a child.

Page updated

Report abuse