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Cleófilas Enriqueta DeLeón Hernández
A young, newlywed Mexican woman and the protagonist of the story. She has romantic and unrealistic expectations of love and marriage. After moving to Texas with her new husband, she becomes victim to his verbal and physical abuse. She struggles with loneliness, disappointment, and her desire for freedom.
Read an in-depth analysis of Cleófilas.
Juan Pedro Martínez Sánchez
Cleófilas’s husband and the story’s antagonist. He takes Cleófilas from her home in Mexico to live in Texas. He proves himself to be nothing like Cleófilas’s expectations. Unlike the handsome men in her telenovelas, he is not tall, he has acne scars on his face and a beer belly, and he is crude. He is an abusive and unfaithful husband, manipulating Cleófilas and isolating her from her family in Mexico.
Read an in-depth analysis of Juan Pedro.
Graciela
A nurse or doctor in Seguin. Her name means “grace” and “God’s favor.” She recognizes the signs of abuse when Cleófilas comes to her clinic for a prenatal checkup. She enlists Felice’s help in rescuing Cleófilas from her abusive marriage.
Felice
A friend of Graciela. Her name means “happy.” In Spanish, the name "Felice" is typically masculine, which underscores her strong qualities. She is a good natured, independent woman. She laughs, hollers, and cusses like a man. She helps Cleófilas escape her abusive marriage by driving her to the bus station in San Antonio.
Soledad
Cleófilas’s neighbor on the left. Her name means “solitude” and “loneliness.” She calls herself a widow, but no one knows if her husband has died or has left her for another woman. Occasionally, Cleófilas goes to her house to watch telenovelas with her.
Dolores
Cleófilas’s neighbor on the right. Her name means “sorrow” and “pain.” She lost both her sons in a war, and her husband died from grief soon after. When she is not mourning their deaths, Dolores grows flowers in her garden.
Don Serafín
Cleófilas’s father. His name means “burning ones,” referring to the highest-ranking angels in the Bible. Although he agrees to her marriage to Juan Pedro, he foresees the day when she will dream of returning home. He promises to never abandon her.
La Llorona
A figure from Mexican folklore. The story of La Llorona varies from place to place. Cleófilas knows her as the weeping woman who drowned her own children. She wonders if the creek is named after La Llorona and worries that the sound of the creek is La Llorona calling to her.
Juan Pedrito
The infant son of Cleófilas and Juan Pedro. Cleófilas takes him with her when she leaves Juan Pedro and escapes to Mexico.
Chela
Cleófilas’s best friend in Mexico. She helps Cleófilas prepare for her wedding. Cleófilas thinks Chela will be jealous of her new life in Texas.
Trini
The laundromat attendant in Seguin. She yells at Cleófilas for not knowing how things are done in the U.S.
