Mary “Nan” MacNally

Mary “Nan” MacNally is one of the four main characters in the novel. She is married to James. Nan is the stereotypical preacher’s daughter. She has lived a sheltered, privileged life in her small town in Mississippi. The worst thing that happens to her as a child is that she sees a member of the congregation take off his clothes during church services. Her father makes her go to college in Illinois because he thinks she is too sheltered. Nan is surprised when she falls in love with James because he claims that he does not believe in God. He does agree to go to church with her, but she is concerned because he is so uncomfortable during the services.

Nan is excited about getting married, especially after James commits to the ministry and plans to go to college in London. She enjoys setting up...