Rachel Cameron
This strong female protagonist is sick and tired of the small, petty world of her fellow teachers, and her desperation for a more satisfying life causes her to be vulnerable in a love affair and to reflect on the true state of female relationships.
Nick Kazlik
Rachel's summer fling Nick shares her thirst for life, and his love for her is what entices her to vulnerability.
Rachel's mother
Rachel's aging mother is another serious aspect of the plot, and her relationship to Rachel highlights the strain on female-to-female relationships in her culture, and also the difficulties between mother and daughter.