Main Characters
A. Twyla:
B. Physical Appearance:
a. Twyla's physical appearance is not explicitly described in the text. However, we can infer
that she is an adult woman who has a son attending high school.
C. Personality Traits and Characteristics:
a. Twyla appears to be pragmatic and open-minded. She is willing to accept changes like
her son being bussed to another school without much resistance. She is also reflective and
willing to engage in conversations about the past.
D. Background and Personal History:
a. Twyla's background is hinted at through her interactions and memories. She mentions her
husband, James Benson, and their son, Joseph. She also has a connection to St. Bonny's,
which was likely a significant part of her childhood.
E. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Twyla seems to have developed a sense of understanding and acceptance over the years.
She doesn't hold onto grudges and is open to reconnecting with people from her past, like
Roberta.
F. Relationships:
a. Twyla has a husband named James Benson and a son named Joseph. She also has a
connection to her mother-in-law, who gives her a crib blanket that had been hers.
G. Roberta:
H. Physical Appearance:
a. Roberta is described as wearing a silvery evening gown, a dark fur coat, and being
accompanied by a man and another woman. She is also mentioned to have watery eyes
from the drinks she's had.
I. Personality Traits and Characteristics:
a. Roberta appears to be more emotionally affected by their past than Twyla. She is
introspective, remorseful, and willing to confront the events of their shared history. She
expresses regret over her actions and seeks reconciliation.
J. Background and Personal History:
a. Roberta's background includes her marriage to a man named Kenneth Norton, who works
with computers. She also has four stepchildren from her husband's previous marriage.
Her life has changed significantly since the time when she and Twyla were at St. Bonny's.
K. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Roberta has a complex mix of emotions regarding their past. She acknowledges her own
misconceptions and actions and seeks to make amends. She believes in facing the truth,
even if it's painful.
L. Relationships:
a. Roberta is married to Kenneth Norton, and they live in Annandale. She has four
stepchildren from Kenneth's previous marriage. She also has a connection to Twyla from
their shared history at St. Bonny's.
, Minor Characters
A. Mr. Rico:
B. Role in the Text:
a. Mr. Rico is the former owner of the mom and pop store that is now referred to as "A &
PA Rico's." The store stands on property that was once owned by Mr. Rico.
C. Background and Personal History:
a. Not much is mentioned about Mr. Rico's personal history or background. He is primarily
known for being the previous owner of the store.
D. Significance:
a. Mr. Rico's ownership of the store is significant in the sense that it leaves a lasting legacy
on the community. The store is still referred to by his name, even after changing
ownership.
b. James (Twyla's Husband) and Joseph (Twyla's Son):
E. Role in the Text:
a. James is Twyla's husband, and Joseph is their son. They are mentioned in passing and
play a background role in the narrative.
F. Background and Personal History:
a. James is a firefighter, as mentioned when Twyla refers to "James's fireman's salary."
Joseph is a student, and at one point, Twyla tutors him during the extended school
vacation.
G. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Specific attitudes and beliefs of James and Joseph are not explicitly discussed in the
provided texts. They are primarily mentioned in the context of their roles within the
family.
H. Mrs. Benson (Mrs. Kenneth Norton):
I. Role in the Text:
a. Mrs. Benson, later revealed to be Mrs. Kenneth Norton, is a woman Twyla encounters
while shopping in a gourmet food emporium.
J. Background and Personal History:
a. She is married to Kenneth Norton, who works with computers. They live in Annandale, a
neighborhood full of doctors and IBM executives. Mrs. Norton has four stepchildren
from Kenneth's previous marriage.
K. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Specific attitudes and beliefs of Mrs. Norton are not explicitly discussed in the provided
texts. Her encounter with Twyla is relatively brief and centers around casual
conversation.
L. Maggie:
M. Role in the Text:
A. Twyla:
B. Physical Appearance:
a. Twyla's physical appearance is not explicitly described in the text. However, we can infer
that she is an adult woman who has a son attending high school.
C. Personality Traits and Characteristics:
a. Twyla appears to be pragmatic and open-minded. She is willing to accept changes like
her son being bussed to another school without much resistance. She is also reflective and
willing to engage in conversations about the past.
D. Background and Personal History:
a. Twyla's background is hinted at through her interactions and memories. She mentions her
husband, James Benson, and their son, Joseph. She also has a connection to St. Bonny's,
which was likely a significant part of her childhood.
E. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Twyla seems to have developed a sense of understanding and acceptance over the years.
She doesn't hold onto grudges and is open to reconnecting with people from her past, like
Roberta.
F. Relationships:
a. Twyla has a husband named James Benson and a son named Joseph. She also has a
connection to her mother-in-law, who gives her a crib blanket that had been hers.
G. Roberta:
H. Physical Appearance:
a. Roberta is described as wearing a silvery evening gown, a dark fur coat, and being
accompanied by a man and another woman. She is also mentioned to have watery eyes
from the drinks she's had.
I. Personality Traits and Characteristics:
a. Roberta appears to be more emotionally affected by their past than Twyla. She is
introspective, remorseful, and willing to confront the events of their shared history. She
expresses regret over her actions and seeks reconciliation.
J. Background and Personal History:
a. Roberta's background includes her marriage to a man named Kenneth Norton, who works
with computers. She also has four stepchildren from her husband's previous marriage.
Her life has changed significantly since the time when she and Twyla were at St. Bonny's.
K. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Roberta has a complex mix of emotions regarding their past. She acknowledges her own
misconceptions and actions and seeks to make amends. She believes in facing the truth,
even if it's painful.
L. Relationships:
a. Roberta is married to Kenneth Norton, and they live in Annandale. She has four
stepchildren from Kenneth's previous marriage. She also has a connection to Twyla from
their shared history at St. Bonny's.
, Minor Characters
A. Mr. Rico:
B. Role in the Text:
a. Mr. Rico is the former owner of the mom and pop store that is now referred to as "A &
PA Rico's." The store stands on property that was once owned by Mr. Rico.
C. Background and Personal History:
a. Not much is mentioned about Mr. Rico's personal history or background. He is primarily
known for being the previous owner of the store.
D. Significance:
a. Mr. Rico's ownership of the store is significant in the sense that it leaves a lasting legacy
on the community. The store is still referred to by his name, even after changing
ownership.
b. James (Twyla's Husband) and Joseph (Twyla's Son):
E. Role in the Text:
a. James is Twyla's husband, and Joseph is their son. They are mentioned in passing and
play a background role in the narrative.
F. Background and Personal History:
a. James is a firefighter, as mentioned when Twyla refers to "James's fireman's salary."
Joseph is a student, and at one point, Twyla tutors him during the extended school
vacation.
G. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Specific attitudes and beliefs of James and Joseph are not explicitly discussed in the
provided texts. They are primarily mentioned in the context of their roles within the
family.
H. Mrs. Benson (Mrs. Kenneth Norton):
I. Role in the Text:
a. Mrs. Benson, later revealed to be Mrs. Kenneth Norton, is a woman Twyla encounters
while shopping in a gourmet food emporium.
J. Background and Personal History:
a. She is married to Kenneth Norton, who works with computers. They live in Annandale, a
neighborhood full of doctors and IBM executives. Mrs. Norton has four stepchildren
from Kenneth's previous marriage.
K. Attitudes and Beliefs:
a. Specific attitudes and beliefs of Mrs. Norton are not explicitly discussed in the provided
texts. Her encounter with Twyla is relatively brief and centers around casual
conversation.
L. Maggie:
M. Role in the Text:
