Angus (The Return)
Angus is one of the many characters that populate the stories of MacLeod who have chosen to leave behind industry towns which have fallen on hard times. In most cases—such as “The Return”—the industry which collapsed is coal mining. Angus left before things got really bad and has made a success of himself as a lawyer. Returning to Cape Breton for the first time with his 10-year-old son Alex in tow, Angus desperately aches to make a connection with his hometown, but his wife views it as a regression while the townspeople view his self-exile as a rejection.
The Salesman (The Vastness of the Dark)
The antithesis to characters like Angus—aside from those who decide to stay and witness the lingering death of the mining industry—is personified in middle-aged, overweight, vulgar traveling salesman who offers a ride to another Angus-like resident of Cape Breton looking to make good on his dreams of escape. The salesman has seen plenty of towns just like the protagonist’s “dirty little town.” He paints a sordid portrait of what the young man is leaving his family and friends to face.
Archibald
Archibald represents another familiar iconic character found in much of these stories. He is nearing 80 and looking down the barrel of a world that he just doesn’t recognize anymore. This is a world in which a mare perfect for producing healthy young ponies is instead exploited for pharmaceutical resources by remaining perpetually pregnant and—more importantly—in which the traditions of old folks songs which he grew up with are sacrificed for the expediency of selling more commercial time on a TV talent showcase. Generational conflict is at the heart of these stories; for Archibald his conflict is made personal because his family sides against tradition.
"The Winter Dog"
The unnamed titular canine of this story is another archetypal character for MacLeod. Animals and their owners are bound by love or work or both and the partings are usually sorrowful, but more often sweeter than her. The relationship between humans and the animal world is examined not just through pets, but also through the lens of economics, historical change and sociology. The animals range from the dog in this story to horses gone lame to all the fish making up the fishing industry in a story in which animals become symbols of change. Another dog-based story views animal relationships from the perspective of ancient clannish superstitions. Arguably none, however, packs quite the emotional wallop as the memorial to the winter dog by its owner which brings this tremendously sad story to a surprisingly satisfying conclusion.
