| A | B |
|---|
| Taylor Greer | The main character in the novel "The Bean Trees." She leaves her Kentucky home to begin a new life for herself. |
| Alice Jean Stamper Greer | Taylor's mother, who supports herself and Taylor by working as a housekeeper for wealty people. |
| Foster Greer | Taylor's father, who left home as soon as he found out that his wife was pregnant. |
| Turtle | The three-year-old Cherokee child who is left on Taylor's car seat. |
| Mrs. Hoge | The little old woman who works at the reception desk at the Broken Arrow Motor Lodge. She has Parkinson's disease. |
| Irene | Mrs. Hoge's daughter-in-law |
| Mattie | A patient and kind widow who owns Jesus Is Lord Used Tires |
| Sandi | She befriends Taylor when she learns that Taylor is from Kentucky. |
| Lou Ann Ruiz | Taylor's roommate and friend, frightened of everything, low self-esteem |
| Angel Ruiz | Lou Ann's estranged husband |
| Granny Logan | Lou Ann's grandmother, who lives in Kentucky with her daughter-in-law. She is demanding and prejudiced |
| Edna Poppy | A blind, elderly woman who always dresses in red. |
| Father William | A priest involved with the sanctuary movement |
| Estevan | A political refugee from Guatemala who used to be an English teacher |
| Esperanza | Estevan's extremely depressed wife who attempts suicide |
| Mrs. Parsons | Taylor and Lou Ann's prejudiced neighbor who lives with and cares for Edna. |
| Lee Sing | The owner of the market across the street from where Lou Ann lives. She lives with her mother. |
| Uther Pendragon | King Arthur's father |
