A Gathering of Old Men Character List

Twins whose niece was poisoned by whites

Brother Silas the sharecropper beaten to death for winning in a plowing race

No-butt, black-fearing deputy that sticks to old ways of disrespect and prejudice

the deputy keeping Fix at his place until Mapes has things under control and gives Gil advice about the game

white cajun shot but survived during fight, weakest man that came for lynching

Called Aunt by Candy, the grandmother of Snookum, Toddy, and Minnie

Came that day because Boutans have "same blood" as white girl who said Gable's son raped her and those who put him in the electric chair

a narrator who had been fishing with his friend when told to go to Mathu's

a narrator who had been fishing with his friend when told to go to Mathu's

a black football player, the other half of "Salt and Pepper"

family has an air of cowardice, which he changes in his actions. makes his own cigarettes

The man suspected of the murder of Beau Boutan, toughest black around and is respected and honored by blacks and Mapes

Sheriff of Bayonne, uses violence to interrogate old black men, listens to narratives without complaint, respects Mathu's manhood

White woman that's partial owner of plantation, raised by Miss Merle and Mathu and organizes events in story

Candy's boyfriend, unique masculinity represents changing times

Owner of a local plantation, "fusses", deeply concerned about Candy

Cajun farmer shot in beginning of novel after chasing Charlie, role is largely symbolic

Father of Beau and Gil, feared for his violent behavior towards blacks, ways of revenge are outdated, though his presence causes fear throughout entire novel

Star football player, Salt half of Salt and Pepper, brave man who stands up against his violent father for justice and changing times

Works with Beau, cutting and hauling cane, character completely changes after it is discovered he shot Beau, now a man

A disinterested drunk who might feel guilty about owning slaves, partly owns plantation

Like her husband, she is usually drunk and cares little about people in quarters or her niece

classic role of "House Negro", demanding Snookum to refer to whites with Missus and Mister, clings to outdated ideas

Only male child described, his youth and freshness contrast to the old men around him, taught lessons of manhood while listening to their stories, represents the change in the future

Leads a lynch mob to the plantation, shot and killed by Charlie, a ruffian, troublemaker and coward

Picks many of the men up in his old pick up truck, stands up to Candy, one of the stronger old men

Lives on plantation, speaks of what can't be seen anymore and why, because of the changing times, and how more needs to change

The one black character that refuses to go along with Candy's plan, often begs for the Lord to have mercy on the sinners

Called T.V. by fellow football players because of his addiction to television, drove Gil to the plantation and the Boutan house

A prejudiced bartender concerned with pleasing his customers

Fought in WWI and wears his uniform in pride and defiance against the whites who told him to take it off

Has a head bob and goes against the Bible in "murdering" Beau.

A Cajun that came to lynch Beau's murderer, narration shows he's very weak