2. Character Analysis
• Ree Dolly
▫ She is a strong willed young woman. She is a
raising her brothers and caring for her sick
mother. Ree despises her father and does not trust
men. She has lesbian tendencies towards her only
friend, Gail. Ree dreams of joining the Army to
escape the her turmoil and pain. She is
desperately searching for her father, who skipped
bond.
3. • Jessup Dolly (Dad)
▫ A middle aged man, husband and father of three.
He is a meth addict as well as a meth cook. This
has landed him on the wrong side of the road with
the law, several times. He had an affair with April,
a kindergarten teacher, for several years. Jessup
will promise the world, if it gets him out of
something undesirable.
4. • Connie Dolly (Mom)
▫ Mom lost her mind and is physically dependent on
Ree. Ree believes that she choose to become this
way to escape from her hardships and the
pain/problems that Jessup brought. In her youth,
she was described as charismatic, beautiful and
spontaneous. Mom had multiple affairs while
Jessup was in prison and was open about them to
Ree.
5. • Sonny and Harold Dolly (Brothers)
▫ Younger brothers to Ree. The boy are 18 months
apart and inseparable. Sonny the older brother is a
fighter, which often leads to trouble in the family.
Ree is teaching the boys how to survive, if she does
not return. She hopes the boys do not become
“Dolly’s.” She even fought with her father against
naming them traditional “Dolly” names.
6. • Teardrop (Uncle)
▫ Older brother to Jessup. He is also a meth addict,
dealer, and cook. Spent time in prison. Married to
Victoria, a compassionate women, who tries to
help Ree. Teardrop is the only man in the novel
who helps Ree financially and on her quest to find
her father. Ree is scared of him and at times he
threatens her physically and verbally.
7. • Gail Langan (Friend)
▫ Had a shotgun wedding to, Floyd, the man that
impregnated her in a one night stand. Abusive
relationship with husband and family in-law, who
never really wanted her. She has a son Ned, who is
an infant. Gail and Ree have been best friends
since grade school.
8. • Floyd Langan
▫ Young man struggling with alcoholism and heart
break. He is unhappily married to Gail and has a
son with her. Floyd is mentally and verbally
abusive to his family. He is having an affair with
his old lover Heather Powney.
9. • Thrump Family
▫ Are believed to have knowledge about Ree’s
father’s where abouts. They are related by blood,
but are divided by past history. Mr. and Mrs.
Thrump hold the power in the community. Meth
cookers.
• Little Arthur
▫ Gave Ree mushrooms and rapped her. He is a
meth addict and still desires Ree.
10. • Blond and Sonya Milton
▫ Are neighbors and relatives of Ree. They help to
provide food for the family. They offered to take
and raise Sonny, which Ree refused. Blond also
lies and tries to fool Ree about her father’s
disappearance. They help Ree when she is beaten,
by giving her pain meds.
