Never Take Sweets from a Stranger

A bright, frightened nine-year-old who becomes the focal witness to a disturbing incident. She shows resilience in the face of intimidation and crowd pressure, yet her certainty shakes under the courtroom's harsh glare. Her truth drives the plot and highlights the vulnerability of children in adult conflicts.

Jean's father, a principled school principal who refuses to back down when his daughter is in danger. He confronts social ostracism and fights for justice, even as the town turns against him. His steadfastness tests the family’s resilience.

Jean's mother, devoted and anxious to protect her family. She navigates the town's hostility while pursuing legal action to seek truth and safety for her daughter. Her choices reflect the struggle between family loyalty and social pressure.

A respected patriarch whose wealth and status mask predatory behavior. He wields influence to shape public opinion and the legal process. His presence embodies how respectability can conceal danger.

Jean's friend who experiences the same day’s danger at Olderberry's hands. She is portrayed as trusting and lively, becoming implicated in the drama. Her fate underscores the real-world stakes for children in the town.

The son who is torn between loyalty to his father and the truth. He reluctantly confronts the consequences of his father’s actions and ultimately reveals guilt to the authorities. His arc exposes the conflict between family loyalty and moral accountability.

A seasoned attorney who uses aggressive questioning to undermine the young witness. He personifies the legal system's willingness to push hard against troubling testimony. His tactics contribute to the perception of a skewed trial.

The prosecutor who pursues the case with determination, yet operates within a courtroom atmosphere where the influence of social standing looms large. His role demonstrates the pressure to secure a conviction.

The foreman representing the jury’s initial bias and eventual revelation of the town’s complicity. He embodies the pressure that the jury faces from the community's expectations.

A figure of authority presiding over the trial, whose rulings shape the proceedings. He must navigate the competing pressures of evidence, procedure, and the town’s loyalties.