Frado
Frado is the protagonist of the story. Being left by her mother in the house of the Bellmonts, Frado had endured many hardships, was very often whipped by her mistress. When she turned eighteen, Frado left the family and tried her own way in the world. She married, though her husband soon died.
Mag Smith
Mag is Frado’s mother. Being left and despised by her people (the whites), she married a black-skinned man. Looking for a better life and some money to earn, she left her daughter Frado.
Jim
Jim is Frado’s father. Soon after her birth he died, having left Mag with nothing. He was a good person.
Seth Shipley
Seth was Jim's business partner. After Jim’s death he married Mag and persuaded her to leave both home and children in search for a better life.
Mrs. Bellmont
Mrs. Bellmont is Frado’s mistress. She is a self-willed, haughty, undisciplined, arbitrary, and severe person.
Mary
Mary is a daughter of the Bellmonts. She also treated Frado badly, and never omitted an opportunity to do her a mischief. Mary died young, far away from home.
Jack
Jack is the son of the Bellmonts. He treated Frado well, and bought her a dog named Fido, who became her best friend. Jack always tried to protect Frado from his mother. Later he left the house and married.
Aunt Abby
Aunt Abby is Mr. Bellmont's sister. She always treated Frado warmly and heartily, but always was afraid to interfere with her sister-in-law. Aunt Abby took Frado to the evening meetings to the church, where a faith in God and Heaven found place in the heart of a poor girl.
