Samya
Samya is a fifteen year old girl from Cairo who initially goes to a boarding school. However, due to her father's dire financial straits, she is later withdrawn from school and sent to marry Boutros, much to her dismay. She later bears a daughter, Mia, when she is twenty two.
Boutros
Boutros is a forty five year old man to whom Samya is married. He is very restrictive and controls Samya's activities to a large extent. He later becomes very upset when Samya bears him a daughter instead of a son.
Rachida
Rachida is Boutros' sister. Unlike Samya, Rachida is content with her station in life and delights in serving her brother due to her traditionalist mindset.
Mia
Mia is Samya's daughter who gives Samya a renewed purpose in life. However, she dies before the age of seven.
Sheikha
The Sheikha is a fortune teller who is believed to have the soul of a woman. Samya visits him initially when she is unable to bear children.
