Berl Chazkeles

Berl is Henne's husband and, according to the story's narrator, "a saint" for tolerating Henne's daily verbal and physical abuse. He earns a meager living making sieves. Eventually, Berl abandons Henne and she becomes even more angry and loud than before.

Henne Fire

Henne Fire, also known in her Polish village as Black Henne, is described by the narrator as a demon. The narrator claims that Henne is "not a human being but a fire from Gehenna," an ancient name for hell. Henne is emaciated, her skin is black, and her eyes look like two burning coals.

For most of the story, Henne behaves as if an evil spirit possesses her; she falls into convulsions and makes animal noises when something displeases her. She has no friends among the villagers, as she is always screaming at them and threatening them with horrible curses. Her four daughters find...