Jyoti/Jasmine/Jane/Jase
Jasmine is the protagonist and narrator of the novel, and we follow her lifelong journey to resist the deterministic path set out for her by the fakir from Hasnapur, who predicted that she would live widowed and in exile. Jasmine inhabits many identities in her travels, and for each identity she has a new name given to her by the people she loves. Her parents name her Jyoti, her first husband names her Jasmine, Taylor Hayes calls her Jase, and in the Midwest, she goes by Jane.
Prakash Vijh
Jasmine's first husband. Jasmine marries him while she lived in Hasnapur, India. He is a "modern man, a city man," (76) and a master at electrical repair. He works as a repairman and a bookkeeper while studying for his diploma exams. Prakash is admitted to an international university in Florida but is killed by a Khalsa Lion's bomb before he can leave Punjab.
Taylor Hayes
A Columbia University physicist and researcher with whom Jasmine lives and for whom she works as a cargiver for his and his wife's daughter, Duff. Jasmine describes Taylor as a goofy and compassionate man, and she quickly falls in love with him and his gentle, kind demeanor. He also falls in love with Jasmine and eventually travels to Iowa with Duff to whisk her away to California.
Bud Ripplemayer
A banker and landowner in Baden, Iowa. Jasmine works as a teller in Bud's family bank before the two of them become romantic partners and move in together to a small house on his 300-acre farm. Jasmine refuses to marry Bud despite his persistent proposals, even after she becomes pregnant with their child. They adopt a boy named Du, who grew up on the run, eventually landing in a Thai refugee camp. Two years into their relationship, a disgruntled farmer shoots Bud in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down. Jasmine eventually leaves Bud to be with Taylor and Duff in California.
Du Thien
Jasmine and Bud's adopted son. He keeps his traumas from Vietnam and the refugee camp secret from his parents, despite Jasmine's concerted efforts to have him share with her. Du shows an extreme aptitude for electrical repair, circuitry, and engineering. He enjoys making hybrid appliances, like dimmer switches that control music on the radio. Du leaves Iowa at seventeen to be with his older sister in Los Angeles.
Darrel Lutz
The Lutzes' only son who takes over the family farm after his father dies choking on a piece of Mexican food while on vacation. Bud feels a sense of responsibility for Darrel because he was neighbors with the Lutzes for so long, and they always looked out for each other's interests. But over time, Darrel buckles under the pressure to run the farm. He often fantasizes about selling the land and opening a Radio Shack franchise store in New Mexico. Toward the end of the novel, he confesses his love for Jasmine and asks her to come away with him. He accuses Bud of trying to squeeze him for cash. Jasmine refuses. Bud approves Darrel for an additional loan, but when they go to tell him about it, they find him dead, hanging by an extension cord from the rafters of his hog house.
Karin Ripplemeyer
Bud’s ex-wife who runs a suicide- and counseling-hotline for Iowa farmers.
Mataji
Jyoti's mother. She encourages Jyoti to stay in school three years longer than her sisters.
Pitaji
Jyoti's father, who is harsh and strict. Although he consents to Jyoti spending more time in school, he beats her mother for supporting the decision.
Dida
Jyoti’s grandmother (Pitaji's mother). She doesn't want Jyoti to remain in school. She finds a groom for Jyoti; however, Masterji convinces her family to let her continue with her studies.
Masterji
Jyoti's teacher. He encourages her to learn English, and to remain unmarried even when her grandmother finds her a groom. He is brutally murdered by Khalsa Lions in front of his students.
Dave Vedheera
Prakash's Professorji from India who now lives in Flushing, Queens with his wife Nirmala and his two elderly parents. He takes Jasmine in for five months and helps her obtain a green card.
Lillian Gordon
An activist and asylum-giver in South Florida who provides housing and care for Kanjobal refugees from Guatemala. She discovers Jasmine on the road, on the brink of death, and takes her in for a week to allow her to recover. She buys Jasmine American clothes and instructs her on how to walk, talk, and act so as to avoid unwanted attention from authorities. She is eventually arrested for harboring refugees.
Wylie Hayes
Publisher and editor, wife of Taylor Hayes and mother of Duff. Wylie reminds Jasmine of Lillian with her serious, business-like demeanor. She leaves Taylor for an economist named Stuart, but gives Jasmine her blessing to be with Taylor after she's gone.
Duff Hayes
Taylor and Wylie's adopted daughter. She is an inquisitive, loving, and selfless child.
Dr. Mary Webb
A professor of sociology at the University of Iowa and client of Bud's bank with whom Jasmine has lunch one day. Dr. Webb is interested in sharing her vivid visions of a past life with Jasmine, feeling that Jasmine's background would preclude skepticism.
Kate Gordon-Feldstein
Successful NYC photographer and artist, daughter of Lillian Gordon. Kate introduces Jasmine to Taylor and Wylie.
Half-Face
The captain of the ship Jasmine takes to Florida. He rapes Jasmine in an abandoned motel and after he falls asleep, she stabs him to death.
