Jake (Yekl): The protagonist of the novella, Jake is a Jewish immigrant who undergoes a transformation as he navigates the complexities of life in the New York ghetto.Gitl: Jake's wife, who represents the traditional values and customs of the Old World and becomes a source of conflict as Jake seeks to embrace his new American identity.Mamie: A young American woman with whom Jake becomes infatuated, symbolizing the allure of the American dream and the challenges of assimilation.Felix: A friend of Jake's who has already assimilated into American society, serving as both a mentor and a cautionary figure for Jake.