* Amado Perez: The story's protagonist, a young boy living in a coastal village. Amado is curious, observant, and easily influenced by others, particularly the older men in his community.
* Amado's Father: A fisherman who works hard to support his family but is often distant and preoccupied with his own worries.
* Amado's Mother: A caring and loving mother who worries about her son and tries to protect him from the dangers of the world.
* The Old Man: A mysterious figure who appears on the beach and offers Amado a piece of bread dipped in salt. He is known to have a history of strange and unsettling encounters with the sea.
* The Americans: A group of foreign soldiers who come to the village and bring with them their own customs and ideas. They represent the changing world and the potential for conflict.
* The Villagers: The other inhabitants of the village, including fishermen, their families, and other children. They represent the collective experience of the community and the traditional values that Amado is coming to terms with.
Note: "A Bread of Salt" is known for its evocative and symbolic language, and the characters are often complex and multi-layered. It's important to consider the symbolic significance of their interactions and their impact on Amado's development.