As Family Resemblances takes place in a small town, it does not contain a large cast of characters. An interesting aspect of the story is that four of the five main characters do not belong to the town, either by birth or by their ideas. Karen and George are in New Franklin just for the summer, visiting family members. Allan lives in New York, and while not physically present in the story, maintains a presence by being a large part of Augusta's life.

Augusta owns a home in New Franklin but chooses not to subscribe to many of the town's tenets, preferring to live her own somewhat unconventional life.

Jerry is the only character who truly belongs to the setting, and, while Augusta's independence attracts him, he shares the town's beliefs and prejudices. Others in the story act merely as a backdrop to the...