Ella

Ella is the main character and narrator of the novel. She is the daughter of Thelma, a light-skinned Black, and an unnamed, not present man who visited Ricksville from Africa. Ella is the step-daughter of Leroy, a light-skinned Black who was embarrassed when his wife had a child with dark Black skin. It confirmed that she had an affair.

Ella is abused both physically and sexually by her stepfather. She is also ostracized by her community because she is illegitimate. At the beginning of the novel, Ella is of the opinion she is ugly because her skin is so much darker than the other people who live in Ricksville. Ella looks in the mirror and hates herself. She wishes she knew her father and that she had people who truly loved her.

Because Ella craves acceptance, she is easy bait for Katherine to take advantage of when Katherine...