6.1 Adjoa
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| observant and thoughtful | notices the adults' contradictions and the endless talk about her legs |
| innocent but clear-sighted | cannot see why legs should matter only for child-bearing |
| loving | calls Nana and Maami her two favourite people; wishes they would not worry |
| hard-working and keen to learn | walks five kilometres to school; "school is nice" |
| modest | wins races for years without telling her family |
| talented and determined | best all-round junior athlete |
| quietly confident | "that's how I was feeling and thinking all along" |
6.2 Maami
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| loving and protective | defends Adjoa's legs |
| far-sighted | insists on her daughter's education |
| unlettered, aware of what she missed | wants Adjoa to escape ignorance |
| quiet, with little power | silenced by Nana; hurt by talk of her marriage |
| speechless with joy at the end | her silence suggests relief and vindication |
6.3 Nana
| Trait | Evidence |
|---|---|
| traditional | believes a woman's role is marriage and child-bearing |
| strong-willed head of the family | controls what Adjoa may say; criticises Maami |
| sharp-tongued but loving | worries about Adjoa's future in her own way |
| practical | goes to the school to check the news herself |
| able to change | irons the uniform; carries the cup like a baby; admits thin legs are useful |