"Little Altars Everywhere" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In the book "Little Altars Everywhere" by Rebecca Wells, the characters play various roles in the story. Siddalee Walker is the protagonist, while her mother, Vivi Walker, acts as the antagonist. Shep Walker, Baylor Walker, Lulu B. Darling, Necie Rose Kelleher, Caro Kelleher, and Baylor Kelleher are supporting characters who contribute to the development of the plot and the main characters.

Character Descriptions

• Siddalee Walker: Siddalee is a resilient and introspective woman in her thirties. She is an accomplished theater director and is known for her strong personality and independent nature.
• Vivi Walker: Vivi is Siddalee's mother and a central figure in the story. She is a complex character struggling with her own demons, including addiction and a troubled past.
• Shep Walker: Shep is Siddalee's father and Vivi's estranged husband. He is a kind-hearted man who tries to maintain a sense of peace within the family.
• Baylor Walker: Baylor is Siddalee's older brother. He is portrayed as a supportive and caring sibling, always looking out for Siddalee's well-being.
• Lulu B. Darling: Lulu B. Darling is Vivi's best friend and confidante. She is a strong-willed woman who provides guidance and support to Siddalee.
• Necie Rose Kelleher: Necie Rose is Vivi's sister and Siddalee's aunt. She is a compassionate and nurturing character, often serving as a source of comfort for Siddalee.
• Caro Kelleher: Caro is Necie Rose's daughter and Siddalee's cousin. She is portrayed as a free-spirited and adventurous woman who adds a sense of excitement to the story.
• Baylor Kelleher: Baylor is Caro's husband and Siddalee's cousin-in-law. He is depicted as a dependable and loving husband, always looking out for Caro's happiness.

Character Traits

• Siddalee Walker: Siddalee is determined, strong-willed, and passionate about her work. She is also introspective and struggles with her relationship with her mother.
• Vivi Walker: Vivi is charismatic, vivacious, and at times, unpredictable. She is also stubborn, controlling, and struggles with emotional scars from her past.
• Shep Walker: Shep is patient, kind-hearted, and strives to maintain a peaceful atmosphere within the family.
• Baylor Walker: Baylor is protective, caring, and loyal to his family. He is also understanding and supportive of Siddalee.
• Lulu B. Darling: Lulu B. is wise, nurturing, and provides a sense of stability and guidance for Siddalee.
• Necie Rose Kelleher: Necie Rose is compassionate, empathetic, and serves as a source of comfort for Siddalee during difficult times.
• Caro Kelleher: Caro is adventurous, carefree, and brings an element of excitement to the story.
• Baylor Kelleher: Baylor is reliable, loving, and always looks out for Caro's happiness.

Character Background

• Siddalee Walker: Siddalee grew up in a dysfunctional family, constantly grappling with her mother's volatile behavior and emotional abuse. She found solace in the theater, which eventually became her profession.
• Vivi Walker: Vivi had a troubled childhood and faced various traumas that shaped her into a complex and often volatile individual. She struggled with addiction and had a strained relationship with her own mother.
• Shep Walker: Shep grew up in a loving and supportive family and had a stable childhood. However, he faced challenges in his marriage to Vivi due to her emotional turmoil.
• Baylor Walker: Baylor grew up in the same dysfunctional family as Siddalee and had to navigate the tumultuous dynamics within the household. Despite this, he remained a supportive and caring older brother.
• Lulu B. Darling: Lulu B. grew up in the same small town as Vivi and became her lifelong friend. She had her own share of struggles but managed to find stability and wisdom in her life.
• Necie Rose Kelleher: Necie Rose grew up alongside Vivi and Lulu B., and had her own experiences with hardship. She became a nurturing presence in Siddalee's life, offering guidance and support.
• Caro Kelleher: Caro had a carefree and adventurous upbringing, always seeking new experiences and challenges.
• Baylor Kelleher: Baylor grew up in a loving family and married Caro, finding happiness and stability in their relationship.

Character Arcs

• Siddalee Walker: Throughout the story, Siddalee undergoes a significant character arc, as she confronts her deep-seated issues with her mother and learns to forgive and understand her. She also comes to terms with her own identity and finds the strength to stand up for herself.
• Vivi Walker: Vivi's character arc revolves around her journey of self-discovery and healing. Through the course of the story, she confronts her past traumas and addiction, ultimately finding a sense of redemption and forgiveness.
• Shep Walker: Shep's character arc revolves around his efforts to maintain peace within the family despite the conflicts between Vivi and Siddalee. He learns to prioritize his own well-being and stands up for himself when necessary.
• Lulu B. Darling: Lulu B.'s character arc primarily revolves around her role as a supportive friend and confidante to Vivi and Siddalee. She provides guidance and wisdom, helping the characters navigate their issues and find resolution.
• Necie Rose Kelleher: Necie Rose's character arc centers around her nurturing nature and her ability to provide comfort and support to Siddalee. She remains a stable presence throughout the story, offering guidance and understanding.
• Caro Kelleher: Caro's character arc revolves around her free-spirited nature and her desire for adventure. She learns to balance her sense of spontaneity with the responsibilities of adulthood and motherhood.
• Baylor Kelleher: Baylor's character arc primarily revolves around his role as a supportive husband to Caro. He learns to embrace the joys and challenges of married life, finding fulfillment in his relationship.

Relationships

• Siddalee and Vivi: The relationship between Siddalee and Vivi is tumultuous and strained. Siddalee grapples with her mother's emotional abuse and must learn to forgive and understand her, while Vivi struggles to confront her own shortcomings as a parent.
• Siddalee and Shep: Siddalee and Shep share a loving and supportive father-daughter relationship. Shep serves as a source of stability and understanding for Siddalee, often mediating conflicts between her and Vivi.
• Siddalee and Lulu B.: Siddalee and Lulu B. share a deep and enduring friendship. Lulu B. provides Siddalee with guidance and support, acting as a surrogate mother figure.
• Siddalee and Necie Rose: Siddalee and Necie Rose share a close aunt-niece relationship. Necie Rose provides Siddalee with comfort and understanding, offering a safe space for her to express her emotions.
• Siddalee and Caro: Siddalee and Caro share a cousin relationship filled with love and adventure. They provide support and companionship for each other throughout the story.
• Siddalee and Baylor: Siddalee and Baylor share a strong sibling bond. Baylor is protective of Siddalee and always looks out for her well-being.
• Vivi and Shep: Vivi and Shep's relationship is strained due to Vivi's emotional volatility. Shep tries to maintain peace within the family and acts as a buffer between Vivi and Siddalee.
• Vivi and Lulu B.: Vivi and Lulu B. share a lifelong friendship filled with trust and understanding. Lulu B. serves as a confidante for Vivi, offering support and guidance.
• Vivi and Necie Rose: Vivi and Necie Rose share a sisterly bond. Necie Rose provides Vivi with comfort and understanding, acting as a pillar of support in her life.
• Caro and Baylor: Caro and Baylor share a loving and supportive relationship as husband and wife. They provide stability and happiness for each other.
• Lulu B. and Necie Rose: Lulu B. and Necie Rose share a close friendship, providing support and understanding to each other throughout the story.