Main characters
Morag Gunn - Morag is the principal protagonist in "The Diviners". Laurence told the story from this character's perspective. Morag was born in Manawaka, a fictional town in Manitoba that Laurence based on the one in which she actually lived and worked. Laurence depicted Morag as a fiercely independent and free spirited woman who frequently moves from location to location in search of "home" (e.g., Morag's move to McConnell's Landing). Although Laurence told Morag's story chronologically, the author often interspersed the narrative with episodes from Morag's past, utilizing "Memorybank Movies" that revealed various formative experiences that Morag had while growing up in the prairies.
Morag is interested in stories of old Scottish clans, stemming from her guardian Christie's love of the past. A story that keeps repeating is that of Piper Gunn and Colin “Gunner” Gunn. The latter saved Christie during World War I. Morag also takes inspiration from, and questions the depictions of femininity in, the work of female Canadian authors such as Catharine Parr Traill. She often has silent conversations with herself about these subjects.
Piquette "Pique" Gunn - Piquette is Morag's daughter by Jules Tonnerre. Pique's character arc parallels that of Morag, growing up and exploring the world. Through her character arc Laurence depicts Pique's character as free spirited and fiercely independent, similar to Morag and Jules.
Jules "Skinner" Tonnerre - Jules is a descendant of the Métis people of Canada. Like Morag, Jules is independent and proud of his heritage. He expresses this by composing and performing songs the lyrical content of which often concern his grandfather and Louis Riel. Although Jules grows up in squalor he does not regard either his father or his sisters with animosity. He often takes care of them and, upon their untimely passing, he mourns them. Jules's siblings are Val, Paul, Jacques and Pique, the last of whom is Piquette Gunn's namesake. Later in the novel Jules forms a band with Billy Joe.
Christie Logan - Christie was Morag's guardian while she grew up in Manawaka. He is married to Princess "Prin" Logan. The children of Manawaka refer to him derisively as “the scavenger”. He works at the Manawaka garbage dump, the so-called Nuisance Grounds. Christie is proud of his work, stating that one can learn a lot from what people throw out. Morag writes that the smell of the Nuisance Grounds does not leave Christie. It is an inextricable part of him.
Princess "Prin" Logan - Prin is the overweight adoptive mother of Morag. She is the daughter of a British remittance man, forced to emigrate to Canada. She makes Morag's childhood school clothes. Morag writes that Prin has a high pitched voice and that she is “a born whiner”[5]
Brooke Skelton – He is Morag's partner in what turns out to be her only marriage and committed relationship. Laurence depicts him as a man in his thirties with greying hair and a professor of 17th Century Literature. Brooke grew up in India and emigrated to Canada. After Morag and Brooke's marriage falters Morag leaves for Vancouver. Brooke eventually remarries. Morag notes his second wife looks much younger than her.
Lazarus Tonnerre – Lazarus, a war veteran, is Jules's abusive father.
Royland – A resident of Manawaka, Royland divines for water. He helps Morag by catching pickerel in the river. At the conclusion of the text Royland states that he does not understand the process of divining, that it is a mystery to him, and that he would not divine again.
The Smiths – Thomas and Maudie Smith are Morag's "A-Okay" neighbours. They often ask Morag for her advice on poetry
Minor characters
Dr. Paul Cates
Niall Cameron
Lachlan MacLachlan – editor and owner of the local Manawaka newspaper
Simon Pearl and Archie McVitie – Lawyers based around Manawaka
Miss Melrose – From Manwaka College, encourages Morag to write poetry, although Morag notes that she is a bit “grim” (141)
Ella – friend to Morag, marries Mort and has two children.
Gord – Pique's partner
Mrs. Maggie Tefler – short-tempered landlady in Kitsilano, Vancouver. Runs a boarding house that Morag titles “Bleak House” that contains another resident, Old Mr. Johnson
Hank Masterson – representative of Wand Publishing
Milward Crispin – Literary agent
Fan Brady – exotic snakedancer, provides Morag with lodging as she works on her writing.
Carol – Teenage babysitter in Kitsilano, Vancouver
Harold – broadcasters, reads the news, has an affair with Morag
Chas
J. Sampson – bookstore owner, “Agonistes Bookshop” in London, High Street.
Daniel McRaith – Highland Scotsman who meets Morag, has an affair with and later revealed to be a father of seven children with his wife Bridie. Morag accompanies Daniel to Scotland on a symbolic pilgrimage to find out about her clan roots.
Hector Jonas – owner of Jacopina Chapel, funeral home in Manawaka during Christie's funeral.
Students from the Manawaka school
Stacey Cameron
Mavis Duncan
Julie Kazlik
Ross McVitie
Mike Lobodiak
Al Cates
Steve Kowalski
Jamie Halpern
Eva Winkler – One of the few individuals from Manawaka that Morag likes speaking with, Winkler also takes care of Prin during her later days coping with obesity.
Vanessa MacLeod – a reference to Laurence's separate work, “A bird in the house” where she explores the lives of the MacLeod family. Laurence's interest is in the prairie literature and how life functions within the vastness of the Canadian landscape.
