Julius
Julius is a Nigerian immigrant living in New York City currently serving an internship at Columbia University. Since there is no real plot to the story, the main draw is Julius’ narration and it is the penetration into his mind that creates the dramatic conflict within the story. Ultimately, the portrait that emerges is of a man compelled to positive action in the world even if his assistance is not necessarily something facilitates the help others require.
Julius’ Father
Julius portrays his father primarily as being dedicated enough to the idea of taking care of a family financially that he was able to provide his son with a good life that paved the way for his pursuit of an American education. The key element relative to his father is that what had seemed to be a happy marriage to Julius’ mother suddenly runs cold and is ruptured without explication.
Julianna Miller
Julianna is Julius’ mother, a woman who came into the world as Julianna Müller of Germany but became Julianna Miller. Following the rendering of the loving relationship to her husband, she becomes something of a cypher and the son withdraws himself emotionally.
Nadège
Nadège is the girlfriend with whom Julius is having a long-distance relationship when the story opens. As the narrative progresses, a rift is developing between them as well with the burden of the separation resting, as with his mother, upon her.
The Friend
Julius has a friend that he always refers to as “my friend.” He is a professor in the Earth Sciences Department and he and Julius share common interests in books and cinema despite often taking oppositional opinions toward the same titles. He is also one of those people who are obsessed with jazz, something which Julius is not.
