Characters

__Bigger Thomas__ - Bigger is a poor and uneducated African American male. He fears the whites because he feels that they are controlling. Bigger has worked his entire life to bring in money for his family. He is the main caretaker of his family.

__Bessie Mears__ – Bessie is Bigger’s girlfriend. She is loyal to Bigger, by keeping Bigger’s important secrets. She tried to follow her good morals and make decisions that would better her future. Bessie has such a guilty conscience that it is a direct result of her death.

__Jan Erlone__ – Jan is Mary Dalton’s boyfriend. He is a member of the Communist party and would like to treat the African Americans as equals. He tries to treat Bigger with the same respect as a white man. Throughout the plot, his eyes are opened to the perception of the whites from the African Americans point of view.

__Mary Dalton__ – Mary is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dalton. She comes from a wealthy family. Mary is in a relationship with Jan Erlone. She is very independent and was open with dating a Communist. She is strong-willed and forms her own thoughts and opinions. She quickly acts before thinking about any consequences.

__Mr. Dalton__ - Mr. Dalton, Bigger's employer, is a respected and wealthy white man. Mr. Dalton owns a real estate business and rents out small apartments to African American families. However, Mr. Dalton hides the fact that the apartments are not suitable living conditions for whites, but yet the rent is just as expensive. Mr. Dalton is the landlord for the Thomas family home. Bigger is forced by Mr. Dalton to work as a chauffeur to help pay off rent.

__Mrs. Dalton__ - Mrs. Dalton is married to the rich and prominent Mr. Dalton. The married couple lives in an exceptional Chicago home. Mrs. Dalton is legally blind which plays an important role in the story line. She walks in Mary's room, where Bigger and Mary were engaging in sexual activities. Bigger held a pillow to Mary's face, knowing that Mrs. Dalton was blind, to keep Mary quiet. As a result, Mary was killed.

__Boris A. Max__ – Boris is a friend of Jan and is employed as a white lawyer. With the help of Jan, Mr. Max helps to defend Bigger in court. Mr. Max is determined and passionate for defending Bigger's rights, along with other blacks. He is in the Communist party and argues that racism influences violence within the African American society.