Characters

The main characters in the short story “A Way of Talking” by Patricia Grace are the narrator, Hera, and her sister, Rose, who were both born and raised in a Maori household. The story revolves around their relationship and the different ways in which they relate to the people around them, particularly with Jane Frazer, the non-Maori dressmaker.

The other characters mentioned in the story are the girls’ family: their brothers, Dad, Mother, and Nanny, who appear briefly. The family appears tight-knit and comfortable with each other. For example, even though while they engage in a playful exchange of teasing remarks, they are affectionate and at ease, creating an impression of genuine warmth, which comes into sharp contrast with the sisters’ conflict with Jane.  

You can read a more detailed analysis of Rose and Hera in the following pages.