The Author-Narrator, Carlos Bulosan
The entire novel is told through the first person omniscient point of view of the author-narrator himself, Carlos Bulosan. He is called "Allos" by members of his family and because the novel cum autobiography is told through his adult sensibilities. The difficulties that he goes through growing up form in him a strong sense of justice and a great desire to see equal treatment for all.
Author-Narrator's Father
The Author-Narrator never names his father but the readers are nonetheless able to get a clear sense of the deep reverence that he has for him. His father is typical of the men of his generation: a stoic, enduring, hardworking Filipino farmer who is simple, but far from simple-minded as he displays both an earthy wisdom and a strong sense of justice that he passes on to his sons. He used to own four hectares of land that supported the family through the rice harvests and some subsistence crops but until he begins to parcel it off to a moneylender in order to pay for tuition.
Author-Narrator's Mother
The author-narrator's mother is, similar to the father, is a distant character, figuratively and literally---she lives in town rather than on the farmstead. Despite her poverty and lack of formal education his mother is actually a fair businessperson selling dried fish, beans, and a salted, fermented fish paste-condiment called bagoong. It is while helping his mother out with selling her wares that he experiences abuse and maltreatment from rich patrons of the market.
Leon
The eldest of son of the Bulosan brood. He is already a young man fighting a war in Europe during the author's recollections as a five-year old lad. Leon also possesses a strong sense of justice like their father, caring more about his young wife rather than sticking to antiquated, misogynistic traditions.
Amado
The youngest of the four Bulosan brothers, he is in grade school living with Allos's mother and baby sister at the time of the story's beginning. Allos's father brings him back to the farm after Leon's departure to have him help out in farm work despite his young age.
Luciano
Similar to Leon, Luciano is also a military man. During the time of the novel's writing he was already a young man and in the process of completing his required three years of military service with the Philippine Scouts, an all-Filipino detachment within the U.S. army.
Macario
Macario is the pride of the Bulosan family, the one on whose shoulders rode the hopes of the whole family. He is regarded fondly by the author-narrator for being a gifted student. He was attending high school in the capital city and all of them hoped that he would become a teacher with a steady job who could not just work closer to the family but also help them out of their crushing poverty they endured on a daily basis.
