Rhiannon
Rhiannon is the central character and narrator of Another Day. She is thoughtful, empathetic, and reflective, navigating the complexities of adolescence, love, and emotional growth. At the start of the novel, Rhiannon is in a relationship with Justin, but she quickly realizes that his inconsistency and emotional distance leave her unfulfilled. Her interactions with A challenge her understanding of love, identity, and connection, pushing her to confront difficult questions about what truly matters in a relationship. Rhiannon enjoys dancing, spending time with friends, and expressing herself creatively. The author's choice of the name "Rhiannon" may draw inspiration from Welsh mythology, where Rhiannon is associated with strength, resilience, and transformation, reflecting the character’s personal journey in the novel.
A
A is the unique and extraordinary being at the heart of the story, capable of inhabiting a different person's body each day. Regardless of gender, age, or social background, A brings compassion, respect, and thoughtfulness into every life they touch. Through A, Levithan explores themes of identity, empathy, and love that transcends the physical form. A's experiences in multiple bodies allow readers to see a world of diverse perspectives and challenges, highlighting the universality of human emotion. The author intentionally leaves A's true name undisclosed to reinforce their fluid identity and to invite readers to focus on their inner essence rather than external appearances.
Justin
Justin is Rhiannon's boyfriend and serves as a contrasting figure to A. While he is physically constant, he is emotionally inconsistent and often fails to meet Rhiannon's needs for understanding and stability. His interactions highlight the limits of attachment to appearances and habitual behavior. Justin's name, a common choice in contemporary fiction, emphasizes his everyman quality, representing conventional relationships that may appear secure on the surface but lack emotional depth.
Nathan Daldry
Nathan is one of the many bodies that A inhabits, and through him, Rhiannon begins to directly experience the complexities of A's life. Their encounter as Nathan allows A to explain the nature of their condition and deepens the bond between A and Rhiannon. Nathan’s presence in the narrative demonstrates how love and connection transcend the physical vessel. The name "Nathan" conveys a sense of familiarity and relatability, making the extraordinary situation more approachable for readers.
Supporting Characters
Other characters, such as Leslie Wong, Amy Tran, and Megan Powell, appear briefly throughout the story. They interact with A in different bodies or provide context for Rhiannon's life and relationships. These supporting figures help illustrate the diversity of experiences and the ripple effects of A's unique existence. Levithan often chooses names that are culturally diverse or everyday in feel to reflect the universality of human experiences across different identities and social spheres.
Character Significance
Each character serves a purpose in examining identity, love, and human connection. Rhiannon represents curiosity and emotional growth, A embodies empathy and the fluidity of identity, and Justin highlights the tension between comfort and emotional authenticity. Supporting characters provide texture, grounding the extraordinary premise in a recognizable social world. The names and traits are carefully chosen to resonate symbolically with the themes of the novel.
