Janie Mae Crawford: The protagonist and narrator of the novel. Janie is a strong, independent Black woman who seeks love and self-discovery through her three marriages and life experiences. Her journey forms the core of the story.

Nanny Crawford: Janie’s grandmother, who raises her. Nanny is deeply influenced by her experiences as a formerly enslaved woman and pushes Janie into a marriage for security rather than love.

Logan Killicks: Janie’s first husband. He is a wealthy farmer, but their marriage lacks love and fulfillment, leading Janie to leave him.

Joe “Jody” Starks: Janie’s ambitious second husband. He becomes the mayor of Eatonville and brings wealth and status to their lives, but he controls and stifles Janie’s independence.

Vergible “Tea Cake” Woods: Janie’s third husband and true love. Tea Cake is charming, playful, and allows Janie more freedom than her previous husbands. However, their relationship ends tragically when Janie must kill him in self-defense after he contracts rabies.

Supporting Characters

Pheoby Watson: Janie’s best friend in Eatonville. She serves as a confidante and the listener to whom Janie recounts her life story.

Leafy Crawford: Janie’s mother, who abandoned her after giving birth.

Mrs. Turner: A neighbor who idolizes whiteness and disapproves of Janie’s relationship with Tea Cake due to his darker skin tone.

Hezekiah Potts: A loyal employee at Jody’s store who takes on some of Jody’s mannerisms after his death.

Minor Characters

Annie Tyler: A wealthy widow whose story serves as a cautionary tale for Janie about trusting younger men.

Motor Boat: A friend of Tea Cake who flees with them during the hurricane.

Nunkie: A young woman who flirts with Tea Cake, briefly causing tension in his marriage to Janie.