Characters in Where the Red Fern Grows

This is a list of characters in Where the Red Fern Grows.

The Coleman Family

Billy Coleman

Billy is the main character of the story.

Mama

Mama is Billy's mother. Similar to Papa, Mama also will do just about anything to see Billy happy. Although Billy's constant begging for the dogs starts to annoy Mama, she is heartbroken over her son's grief. When Billy finally gets the dogs and starts hunting, Mama is constantly worried about him. She is always thinking that it is too dangerous for him to be out in the wood all alone at night and cares greatly for his safety.

Papa

Papa is Billy's father. He is a farmer and will do just about anything to make Billy happy. When Billy is upset over not getting the dogs, Papa buys Billy three steel traps to make Billy feel better. He teaches Billy how to use the traps. Papa is very proud of Billy's determination and commitment to his dogs and hunting raccoons; he is proud of his son's development into a young man. He is the one who always calms Mama's fears about Billy's safety.

Grandpa

Grandpa is Billy's grandfather. When Billy finally saves $50, Grandpa helps him to get the dogs. Grandpa is astonished to the point of tears; he is so proud of Billy's hard work and dedication. Grandpa frequently helps Billy out, like when he helps Billy to make the scarecrow in front of the big sycamore tree to keep the coon from getting down out of the tree. Billy greatly respects and appreciates his Grandpa's advice and help.

Grandma

Grandma is Billy's grandmother. She checks up on Grandpa to make sure he has everything he needs for the trip to the coon-hunting contest.

Other Characters

Rubin Pritchard

Rubin Pritchard is the older brother of Rainie Pritchard. He has a very bad reputation; he is known for stealing, fighting, and causing trouble with his younger brother, Rainie. Rubin is two years older than Billy. He is a big boy with mean eyes. He bets Billy two dollars that Old Dan and Little Ann cannot tree the ghost coon. His family's tick hound shows up and Little Ann and Old Dan start attacking him up to make sure he does not try to steal their coon. In an attempt to save his dog Rubin runs at Billy's dogs with an axe. He trips and the axe plummets into his stomache killing him. After Rubin is lying on the ground, Billy takes the axe out of him and is distraught at Rubin's death. After Rubin is buried, Billy puts flowers on his grave.

Rainie Pritchard

Rainie Pritchard is the younger brother of Rubin Pritchard. Rainie is about Billy's age and known for causing trouble wherever he goes. He is a nervous boy, and is not liked by anyone. Billy says that he has the meanest disposition out of any boy he has ever known. He always wants to make bets. When his brother Rubin dies, Rainie goes into a state of shock and their father tells Billy's father than Rainie will have to be brought to a doctor in town.

The Marshal

The Marshal is a minor character who rescues Billy after getting in a fight with a kid at the school.

Old Man Hatfield

Old Man Hatfield is a neighbor of Billy's. His dog is having collie puppies and Billy's parents offer to get Billy one of the pups, but Billy refuses because he only wants coon hounds.

Mr. Kyle

Mr. Kyle is one of the hunters in the contest. He owns the dog that is runner-up in the beauty contest. Little Ann is the winner of the contest.

Mr. Benson

Mr. Benson is one of the hunters in the contest. He is the one that finds Billy's dogs. Then, he finds Billy and the rest of the hunters to tell them what he found - that the dogs are alive, but covered in ice.

Dr. Latham

Dr. Latham is one of the hunters in the contest. He helps Grandpa with his twisted ankle back at the campground. After the contest, Dr. Latham takes Grandpa into town to put a cast on his ankle.

Old Blue

Ruben and Rainie Pritchard's Blue Tick Hound.