Gottfried
Gottfried is Hemmings' husband and grandfather to Freak, Malcolm, Loretta and Marla. Gottfried is a wealthy potato farmer in Pennsylvania. Gottfried is a racist and believes rich people are superior to poor people. Making matters worse, Gottfried has built a foundation of racism in his family and wants every member to believe in the family's ill-advised racist tendencies.
Marla Hemmings
Hemmings is the matriarch and wife to Gottfried. Hemmings is the grandmother of the five protagonists. Hemmings has done nothing much to unite her family because she encourages her husband not to transfer any wealth to his elderly children and grandchildren. According to Hemmings, her children must thrive to create their wealth. As a result, the family is divided.
Freak
Freak is the eldest of the five protagonists mentioned in the novel. Freak is possessed with digging holes, something that seems strange to others. However, Freak wants to know why his family is racist and selfish. Consequently, Freak's hole-digging obsession is symbolic because it signifies the need for the five protagonists to uncover the root of their racist tendencies.
Malcolm
Malcolm is also a protagonist in the novel. The author depicts Malcolm as remorseful and unlucky in life. When Malcolm's father dies, his mother takes him to live with his grandfather. However, Malcolm looks forward to the day the family will speak with one voice against racism.
Loretta
Loretta is the cousin to Freak, Malcolm and Marla. Loretta is depicted as a dreamer and optimistic young girl who wants to help her family escape poverty. Despite Loretta's grandparents being wealthy, Loretta and her family live below the poverty line. Loretta's parents inherited nothing from their wealthy parents. Loretta is dating a criminal boyfriend, but is looking for a way to escape.
Marla
Marla is a young girl named after her grandmother. Marla is a lonely girl isolated from the rest of the world. Marla's parents deny her a chance to go and interact with other children in the neighborhood. Marla stays at home most of the time, and thinks she is a child because she has never exploited her potential. However, When Marla is out of her parents' house, she becomes bold and makes important decisions that affect her future.
