Tierney James

Tierney is a 16-year-old girl from Garner County who is described as being a rebellious tomboy. As Garner County is a government deeply rooted in misogynistic values and traditions, Tierney finds herself resenting the system she has grown up in. As a result, Tierney rejects all notions of femininity, and finds that all of her closest relationships are with men, as seen through her relationship with her father, Michael, and Hans. In the beginning of the novel, Tierney greatly opposes the idea of marriage because she feels it is simply yet another way for men to control women. When Tierney is veiled by her best friend Michael, her initial reaction to be angry at the loss of her freedom. She had hoped she could spend her life working in the fields, so when Michael chooses her to be his wife, he completely dashes Tierney’s plans for...