Coming Of Age In Mississippi

Also known as Toosweet or Elmira, Mama is the eldest child of a large family that includes her mother, Winnie, sisters Alberta and Celia, brothers Ed and George Lee, and white brothers Sam and Walter. She is tall and thin with high cheekbones. She has children with two men, Diddly and Raymond. She works hard to meet the basic needs of her children, but because she completed school only to the sixth grade, she cannot help her children with their homework. She has trouble understanding her daughter Moody, and her intellectual and activist pursuits. Despite this, Mama puts pressure on Moody to succeed in ways that Mama cannot, such as when she tells Moody to get better grades than Darlene, Raymond’s sister. Mama also seeks an ally in Moody; she wants her daughter to join Mount Pleasant Baptist instead of Raymond’s congregation. Although Mama does not understand Moody’s pursuits, she is concerned for Moody’s safety and protection, even when their relationship is strained.

Daddy, also known as Diddly or Fred, separates from Mama when Moody is a young child. He is tall with a thick mustache. Daddy wants to reconcile with Mama, but she is not interested. Daddy expresses his love by giving Moody gifts, such as money and dresses. When Moody leaves home at age 17, she turns to Daddy, who opens his home to her. 

Raymond is Mama’s second husband and Moody’s stepfather. He is a solider when he meets Mama. He is light-skinned, and his family does not approve of Mama’s dark skin. Raymond seems unable to stand up to his mother. He also tries unsuccessfully to farm. He resents Moody for unknown reasons, one of which might be that she resists his lust for her.

Emma is Daddy’s second (common-law) wife. She is heavyset with straight hair and is light-skinned. She and Moody do not get along well, but Emma sends Moody money when she needs it during college. Moody admires Emma for her strong spirit. Emma also passes information to Moody about the murder of her brother Clift, whom Moody considers to be a blood uncle.

Mrs. Burke is one of Moody’s employers in high school. She is active in guild meetings, which it later becomes clear are actually Klan meetings. Mrs. Burke is the first white person Moody encounters who treats her badly in an overt way.

Wayne is Mrs. Burke’s son. He and his friends need help with algebra, and Moody tutors them. He and Moody enjoy each other’s company, something that makes Mrs. Burke upset. Wayne likes Moody and wants to annoy his mother, but he does not fully realize that his friendly gestures put Moody in danger.

Joan is a white Tougaloo student who works with SNCC. She and Moody do activist work together, including the Woolworth’s sit-in in Jackson.

The Chinns are influential black people from Canton, Mississippi, who are involved with the Movement. Mr. Chinn owns a business, and Mrs. Chinn is fearless in speaking to the police. Moody appreciates their friendship and tirelessness to bring about change for Negroes. C.O. Chinn eventually loses his business because of his activism.