The Weight of Water Character Analysis

Kasienka

Kasienka is the main character and narrator of The Weight of Water. At the beginning of the story, she immigrates from Gdańsk, Poland to Coventry, England with her mother, whom she calls “Mama… read analysis of Kasienka

Mama

Mama is Kasienka’s mother, whose actual first name is Ola. She is Babcia’s daughter and Tata’s wife. A proud and resolute woman, it’s Mama who immediately decides to immigrate to England along… read analysis of Mama

Kanoro

Kanoro is Kasienka and Mama’s next-door neighbor. A Kenyan pediatrician who works in England as a hospital janitor like Mama, Kanoro is unfailingly warm, optimistic, and good-humored despite his difficult circumstances. Kasienka is often… read analysis of Kanoro

Tata

Tata is Kasienka’s father. He left Mama, his wife, with only a note to explain his absence as he immigrated to England. For two years, Mama and Kasienka don’t know where Tata went—but… read analysis of Tata

William

William is an eighth-grade student at Kasienka’s school who develops a romantic interest in Kasienka. A member of the school swim team, he starts to watch her swimming laps at the pool with intense… read analysis of William

Clair

Clair is a popular girl who attends Kasienka’s school. At first, Clair is friendly to Kasienka after she reacts positively to a violent video she passes around at school. Clair takes to calling Kasienka… read analysis of Clair

Marie

Marie is Clair’s friend. Although she doesn’t seem to bear any personal grudges against Kasienka, she does Clair’s bidding without question. Marie is the one who Clair gets to send the mass text… read analysis of Marie

Babcia

Babcia is Kasienka’s grandmother and Mama’s mother. While Mama and Tata were fighting back in Poland, Kasienka often sat with Babcia to avoid getting between her two parents. Babcia visits Mama and Kasienka… read analysis of Babcia

Dalilah

Dalilah is a new student who arrives at Kasienka’s school in the spring. Kasienka looks at her and sees the potential for her to become Clair’s next victim as the newest foreign addition… read analysis of Dalilah

Melanie

Melanie is Tata’s new partner and Briony’s mother. Kasienka describes her as a remarkably patient, tolerant, and welcoming person who allows Kasienka to enter her family’s lives and respects the boundaries between herself… read analysis of Melanie

Briony

Briony is Melanie and Tata’s young daughter. At first, Kasienka feels like Briony has displaced her in Tata’s life, an emotion that makes her cry when Kanoro tells her that she’s more beautiful. However… read analysis of Briony

Ms. Morrow

Ms. Morrow is the coach of the swim team. She’s impressed with Kasienka’s swimming ability, but she’s also the first and only adult to ask her if anything is wrong at school. Kasienka thinks… read analysis of Ms. Morrow

Konrad

Konrad is a Polish boy in Kasienka’s sixth grade class. He and a few other boys make lewd comments about the teacher in Polish, a language that she doesn’t understand. Knowing that Kasienka understands what… read analysis of Konrad

Arlene

Arlene is a girl in Kasienka’s seventh grade art class who tries to reach out to her, complimenting Kasienka on her artwork. As soon as Clair sees that Arlene and Kasienka could become friends… read analysis of Arlene

Minor Characters

Mrs. Warren

Mrs. Warren is an administrator at Kasienka’s school. Judging solely by Kasienka’s English and the fact that she’s Polish, Mrs. Warren places her in the grade below her age level. She also refuses to say Kasienka’s name, instead shortening and Anglicizing it to “Cassie.”

The Weight of Water Characters