Because of Winn-Dixie Character Analysis

India Opal Buloni

Opal is the novel’s 10-year-old protagonist. Opal lives with her father, whom she refers to as “the preacher,” in Naomi, Florida. Since they recently moved to town, Opal has no friends until she encounters… read analysis of India Opal Buloni

Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie is the novel’s titular character. He’s a huge, scruffy-looking dog whom Opal encounters running wild in a local Winn-Dixie grocery store one evening. When Opal first meets Winn-Dixie, he’s is clearly a stray: he’s… read analysis of Winn-Dixie

Daddy/The Preacher

The preacher is Opal’s father. Though she calls him “Daddy” to his face, in her mind, she refers to him as “the preacher.” This is because the preacher spends all his time wrapped up… read analysis of Daddy/The Preacher

Gloria Dump

Gloria is one of Opal’s friends in Naomi. She’s a wrinkly old lady with dark skin whom many kids in town believe is a witch. However, Opal quickly discovers that this isn’t true: Gloria… read analysis of Gloria Dump

Otis

Otis is the sole employee at the Naomi pet shop Gertrude’s Pets. He’s a shy, quiet man who wears his black hair slicked back on his head. He offers Opal a job sweeping the shop… read analysis of Otis

Miss Franny Block

Miss Franny Block is the elderly librarian in Naomi. She’s a tiny, frail, and wrinkled lady, but Opal soon discovers that Miss Franny has all sorts of stories to tell. Because Opal is willing to… read analysis of Miss Franny Block

Mama

Mama is Opal’s mother who never appears in person in the novel. She left Opal and the preacher when Opal was three years old, and since the preacher seldom if ever speaks about her… read analysis of Mama

Amanda Wilkinson

Amanda is a girl in Naomi who’s about Opal’s age. Opal describes her as “pinch-faced,” or mean. In Opal’s assessment, Amanda is a stickler for rules and walks around looking like she smelled something… read analysis of Amanda Wilkinson

Dunlap Dewberry

Dunlap is a local boy and Stevie’s older brother by about a year. He and Stevie make a point to chase, torment, and taunt Opal whenever possible. However, Dunlap offers clues throughout the novel… read analysis of Dunlap Dewberry

Stevie Dewberry

Stevie is a local boy; he’s Dunlap’s younger brother. Stevie is about a year younger than his older brother but looks much the same—the boys’ mother shaves their hair in the summertime, which inspires… read analysis of Stevie Dewberry

Sweetie Pie Thomas

Sweetie Pie is a blonde five-year-old girl who befriends Opal. She’s one of the first friendly people Opal meets in Naomi; though it’s summer when they meet, Sweetie Pie excitedly invites Opal to her… read analysis of Sweetie Pie Thomas

Littmus W. Block

Littmus is Miss Franny’s great-grandfather and the inventor of the Littmus Lozenge. He fought in the Civil War when he was just a teenager and learned quickly that though he went into it… read analysis of Littmus W. Block

Minor Characters

Carson

Carson was Amanda’s little brother. Five-year-old Carson died the summer before the novel begins when he fell into the river and drowned. His death, Opal suspects, is what makes Amanda seem so mean and uptight.

The Manager

Winn-Dixie the dog attempts to make friends with the manager of the local Winn-Dixie grocery store, but the manager simply wants the dog out of his produce department.

Mr. Alfred

Mr. Alfred is the manager of the Friendly Corners Trailer Park. He doesn’t like children and doesn’t want them living in his trailer park, though he deems Opal an exception because she’s quiet and the daughter of a preacher.

Gertrude

Gertrude is a temperamental parrot at Gertrude’s Pet Shop. She’s named after the human owner of the shop. Gertrude quickly becomes friends with Winn-Dixie and sits on the dog’s shoulders whenever Opal and Winn-Dixie are in the shop.

Herman W. Block

Herman was Miss Franny Block’s father. He was a wealthy man and agreed to build young Franny a library, which is now the public library that Opal frequents.

Mrs. Detweller

Mrs. Detweller is Opal and the preacher’s neighbor in the Friendly Corners Trailer Park.

Samuel

Samuel is Mrs. Detweller’s dog.