Winesburg Ohio

Old writer who hires carpenter to elevate his bed to the window. As he nears sleep he sees the people he has known pass before his eyes and writes this down into a "Book of Grotesque".

Eccentric man who is notable for his hands which are chronically active ("like the wings of a bird" - hence his name). This activity of the his hands stems from his past where he used to teach until a boy accused him of molestation.

Doctor who writes his thoughts onto slips of paper and leaves them in his suit until they condense into balls. This is probably due to the death of his wife, a much younger, 'dark-skinned' lady. Later on in the book, he befriends Elizabeth Willard.

George's chronically sick mother. In youth was involved in a number of affairs and thinks about this shortly before she dies while in the company of Doctor Reefy.

THE George Willard

George Willard's father who is as adamant in his determination to make George successful as he is a devoted democrat. He holds no love for his wife, Elizabeth Willard, but shows remorse after she dies.

Peculiar owner of a small medical practice who enjoys talking with George Willard. His father is in an insane asylum, and his brother a violent penny-pincher. Often hints of criminal past. He came to Winesburg after he failed to come to the scene of a small girls death.

Country girl with whom George Willard has sex with in the chapter 'Nobody Knows'.

Fanatical believer in God who feels entitled to his land and authority by divine right and expects god to, at any moment, send him a sign to begin his empire.

Son of Louise Bentley who goes to live on his grandfather - Jesse Bentley's - farm when he reaches adolescence. Terrified of Jesse after he brings him to a field to pray. On the second instance that this occurs, David throws a stone at Jesse and fearing he has killed him, flees Winesburg forever.

Haunted mother of David and son of the Jesse. When she was young, she moved into the hardy family where she felt isolated after attracting the wrath of the two Hardy sisters who hate her because of her devotion to her studies and the admiration she earns (mostly by Mr. Hardy) because of this.

Quite, respectable banker of Winesburg who wed with Louise Bentley.

Referred to as 'a man of ideas' due to his profound behavior. He is extremely outgoing and frequently shares his ideas with others. Later on, he befriends Sarah King, a depressed daughter of the 'dangerous' King family.

Lover of Ned Currie who is obsessed with him and, even after a decade has passed without his return, still believes Ned is in love with her and will return to her.

Lover in youth of Alice Hindman who, after leaving Winesburg became part of a different life and soon forgot his promise to return to her.

Hugely obese, nasty, and thoroughly disgusting telegraph operator of Winesburg. Hates all women, and after seeing George in the company of another woman seeks him out and tells him his story. Williams used to be the husband a women and was happy for many years until he found that she was cheating on him. After the two break up, the mother of his wife invites him to her house supposedly to make amends. While there, she sends his wife into meet him completely naked. Infuriated, he kills her.

Quite youthful lover of Helen White who feels overshadowed by his friend, George Willard who also has a fancy (albeit an immature one) for Helen White. Leaves Winesburg after talking with Helen White.

Under nurtured daughter of Tom Hard (steadfast atheist). Adopts the name Tandy after a drunken stranger tells her to have the strength to be loved.

Reverend of Winesburg Ohio who is attracted by the half-naked sight of a school teacher, Kate Swift. Fears he may defile his relationship with god by peeping on Kate Swift until she appears completely naked and sobbing in front of him. This he takes to be a sign from god.

Bipoler school teacher who is the object of Reverend Hartman's fancy. Generally has a very cold demeanor, the exception being to George Willard who she both treats as a mentor and a lover.

Juvenile artist who finds other people to be unbearable. Prefers the company of his imaginary friends who are faithful towards his until he finds temporary love in another women whom, after he tells her of his imaginary friends, they disappear.

The object of George Willard and Ed Handby's fancy.

Winesburg bartender who is in love with Belle Carpenter. After seeing Belle with George on one of their walks, Ed throws George to the side and marches away with Belle.

Son the new merchant to Winesburg. The business is very unsuccessful and because of this, Elmer feels that Winesburg looks upon the family as queer. Needing to talk to someone, Elmer approaches an eccentric man who used to work for the family and tells him of his troubles. After this, he still does not feel satisfied and next singles out George Willard.

The more 'responsible' of the two farmhands. Like his friend Hal, his marriage too stemmed from an accidental pregnancy a fact which has earned him a great deal of resentment.

Reckless young farmhand who has to make a difficult decision after getting a women pregnant. He consults his friend, Ray Pearson regarding the matter, but Ray doesn't respond. In the end, before Ray has the chance to intervene, Hal decides to marry the women.

Gentle and forgetful boy who came to Winesburg with his grandmother who lived in Winesburg years back. One day, seemingly out of spontaneity, he feels the need to get drunk. And so he does, until he meets George Willard whom attempts to help the other boy. George does so until the other boy mentions his love Helen White, which irks George because he too has a fancy for Helen.