Pinmei

Pinmei is the protagonist of the story. She is a young woman living in the mountains with her grandmother Amah, with whom she shares a love for stories and an affinity for storytelling. In the beginning of the story, she is quiet and timid with everyone except her grandmother, whom she teases but only when they are alone. Between her long braid and squeaky voice, she is often described as mouselike.

The events of When the Sea Turned to Silver follow many of the steps of monomyth with Pinmei as the hero, starting with the "Call to Adventure" when she leaves her village to rescue Amah, and continuing with her meeting of her mentor, Lady Meng. Through the events, Pinmei finds her courage and her voice as she transitions from a squeaky-voiced mouse girl to a young woman who brings down the emperor though her insightful action.

Amah