Milkman (Macon Dead III) The first “colored baby” born at Mercy Hospital. Milkman is the youngest child and only son of Ruth and Macon Dead. Torn between his father’s materialistic values and his aunt Pilate’s unconventional lifestyle, Milkman—prompted by his father’s greed—embarks on a quest to claim Pilate’s illusory gold. During the course of his journey, Milkman is transformed from an immature, irresponsible boy to a mature, responsible man who values his cultural heritage.
Macon Dead, Jr. Milkman’s wealthy, materialistic father. Macon’s fervent belief in the mythological American Dream causes him to reject his heritage and adopt the value system of the white mainstream culture. As a result, he finds himself alienated from his family, his community, and his African heritage.
Ruth Foster Dead “The dead doctor’s daughter.” Ruth, Milkman’s mother, is a frail, fragile woman who copes with her empty life by escaping to a fantasy world and maintaining near-incestuous relationships with her father and son.
Magdalene (Lena) Dead Ruth and Macon’s eldest daughter. Although Lena lacks a formal education, she possesses instinctive, intuitive knowledge that enables her to resist her father’s distorted value system.
First Corinthians Dead Ruth and Macon’s youngest daughter. A well-educated young woman, Corinthians adopts her father’s materialistic values; eventually, however, she escapes her empty life when she finds a job, takes a lover, and leaves home.
Pilate Dead “The singing woman.” Milkman’s aunt, teacher, and spiritual guide. Born without a navel, Pilate is a self-created, independent woman who carries her name—the source of her power—inside a dangling brass box earring.
Reba (Rebecca) Pilate’s unmarried daughter. Reba’s life centers around her daughter, Hagar, and her brief, noncommittal relationships with various men.
Hagar Pilate’s granddaughter and Milkman’s cousin and lover. Obsessed with romantic love, Hagar internalizes the ideals of white female beauty.
Jake (Macon Dead, Sr.) Milkman’s grandfather. The youngest son of Solomon and Ryna, Jake is renowned for creating and cultivating Lincoln’s Heaven, a thriving farm he carved out of the wilderness. Loved by the black community because he identified with his people and served as their role model, he is murdered by whites for trying to protect his land.
Solomon/Sugarman “The Flying African.” Milkman’s great-grandfather. According to legend, Solomon flew back to Africa, leaving behind his wife, Ryna, and their twenty-one children.
Mr. (Robert) Smith “The little insurance agent,” whose death heralds Milkman’s birth.
Freddie “The gold-toothed man.” Freddie works as a janitor for Macon Dead and considers himself a friend of the family. An incorrigible gossip, he is responsible for naming Milkman.
Guitar Bains Milkman’s friend, confidant, and intellectual sparring partner. A street-wise hustler, skilled hunter, and political activist, Guitar’s arrogance and skewed sense of justice leave little room for compromise.
Mrs. Bains One of Macon Dead’s tenants. She is a proud woman struggling to survive amidst abject poverty while raising her two grandsons, one of whom is Guitar.
Henry Porter Another of Macon Dead’s tenants. He and Corinthians eventually move in together as lovers.
