Joana

Joana is the main character of the novel, with most of the novel consisting of a deep focus, sometimes written in a stream-of-consciousness style, into her complex and impenetrable mind. All of the other characters in the novel are defined by their relationship to her. While there are many dimensions to Joana's mind, one of her primary traits is that she will often see to the true essence of people, including strangers, with the steely, unflinching way she examines others. On the one hand this means that Joana's mind has a notable clarity; on the other hand it means that her life is often intensely serious and depressing.

Joana is initially raised by her father, a widower, and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle when her father dies at some point in her childhood. Joana's aunt and uncle find themselves unable to care for Joana...