Andy Uncle

Andy is the mother's brother. He has a special fondness for Eugie because the boy resembled him. After Eugie's death, Andy immediately embraces the sheriff's interpretation of Arnold: that he is essentially a cold, cruel boy who cares nothing for his brother. It is also Andy who brings up this interpretation in front of the neighbor men who come to visit the family in the evening. He explains the sheriff's idea as if it is an irrefutable fact, helping to cement its validity in Arnold's mind.

Uncle Andy

See Andy

Arnold

Nine-year-old Arnold is the protagonist of the story. Arnold is the youngest child of the family and feels that he is in a subordinate position to his older brother Eugie. Because of this power imbalance, Arnold both looks up to and dislikes Eugie. Arnold's role within the family is not made clear in the story, but...