Arnold A neighborhood boy who teases Lena when they are children, he later dies of measles; Lena feels guilty, linking his death to her unwillingness to finish her daily rice. She develops an eating disorder.
Ted Jordan Rose Hsu Jordan's husband; a physician; he sues Rose for divorce ostensibly because of her inability to make decisions. In reality, he is having an affair with another woman.
Tin Jong Lindo Jong's husband; Waverly Jong's father.
Harold Livotny Lena's husband; an architect.
Clifford St. Clair Ying-ying's husband; Lena's father. A well-meaning man, he nonetheless cannot understand his wife's loneliness and isolation.
Wu Tsing The wealthy merchant who forces An-mei Hsu's mother into concubinage by raping her.
Popo An-mei's grandmother. She throws her daughter out of the house because of the disgrace that she brings upon the family.
