Em is portrayed as the affectionate and traditional counterpart to her cousin Lyndall, content with farm life and reluctant to seek change. Her character provides contrast to Lyndall's rebelliousness, and she navigates personal and romantic complexities with innocence and grace.

The son of the farm's overseer, Waldo grapples with questions of faith and existence while working with the farm's sheep. He is a quiet thinker with a deep connection to nature, forming a meaningful friendship with Lyndall through their shared search for meaning.

A con artist and antagonist in the story, Bonaparte exhibits deceitful and cruel behavior, especially toward the children on the farm. His presence is a critique of colonial authority and its impacts on the characters.

A secondary character who rents land from Tant’ Sannie and initially becomes Em's love interest. Gregory harbors delusions of grandeur and experiences romantic entanglements on the farm while harboring feelings for Lyndall.