Who is Kaine?

Kaine is Dessa's former lover and the father of her child. Because their master kills Kaine, he appears in the narrative only within Dessa's dreams. She thinks often of his gentleness, and the way he used to love her. Kaine also played the banjo, sang songs and played for Dessa often. Once she becomes pregnant, however, Kaine tries to convince her to abort the child, fearing it will be taken from them and sold elsewhere. Dessa decides to keep the child and the two begin planning their escape. Kaine's ideas of freedom inspire hope in Dessa. Kaine, however, has a short temper, and reacts violently after the master breaks his banjo. Not long after he is killed. In the months after his death and Dessa's escape, Kaine haunts Dessa's memory.