Like a Winding Sheet Characters

Johnson is the story’s protagonist. A working-class African American man, he works nightshifts at an unspecified “plant” and is married to Mae. He begins the story as a loving husband who wouldn’t dream of threatening… read analysis of Johnson

Mae is a working-class African American woman and is married to Johnson. She works at a different “plant,” also on the night shift, but is apparently less bothered by the work than her husband… read analysis of Mae

Mrs. Scott is the white forewoman at the plant at which Johnson works. When he arrives late she verbally attacks him, using racial slurs and suggesting that African American workers are the problem with the… read analysis of Mrs. Scott

Johnson encounters an unnamed white waitress when he goes into a restaurant after work to get a cup of coffee. When he reaches the front of the line, she tells him that there’s no more… read analysis of The Waitress