Who Are The Main Characters In My Monticello?

Da’Naisha’s voice in 'My Monticello' is unforgettable. She’s young but carries this weary maturity, partly because of her pregnancy and partly because of the racial violence erupting around her. Her relationship with Knox is complicated—he means well but doesn’t fully get it, and that disconnect becomes a quiet tragedy. Ma Violet is the heart of the group, her stories tying the present to Monticello’s brutal past.

The ensemble feels like a microcosm of America: the elderly, the young, the hopeful, the resigned. Even minor characters, like the cautious neighbor Travis, add texture. What lingers is how Johnson uses these characters to ask: Who gets to inherit safety? Who gets to call a place home? Da’Naisha’s final act is a gut punch, but it makes perfect sense for her.

My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson is this hauntingly beautiful novella that sticks with you long after you finish it. The story centers around Da’Naisha, a young Black woman who becomes the de facto leader of a group of survivors taking refuge at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation during a near-future racial crisis. Da’Naisha’s character is so richly layered—she’s resilient, introspective, and grappling with her own connection to the land and its history. Her boyfriend, Knox, is another key figure, though their relationship strains under the weight of the turmoil around them. Then there’s Ma Violet, Da’Naisha’s grandmother, who embodies wisdom and a painful link to the past. The group also includes neighbors like the pragmatic Leanne and the elderly Mr. Curtis, each adding depth to the collective struggle.

The novella’s strength lies in how these characters mirror America’s unresolved tensions. Da’Naisha’s ancestry ties directly to Jefferson and Sally Hemings, which adds this simmering tension to every interaction. Johnson doesn’t just give us characters; she gives us voices carrying centuries of weight. Even the 'side' characters feel vital, like the unnamed militia members whose presence amps up the dread. It’s less about individual heroism and more about how community fractures and holds under pressure. I still think about Da’Naisha’s final decisions—they wrecked me in the best way.

One thing I adore about 'My Monticello' is how the characters feel like real people shoved into an impossible situation. Da’Naisha stands out, of course—her narration is raw and immediate, especially as she juggles protecting her group while confronting her own identity. But let’s talk about Ma Violet! She’s the kind of character who steals every scene she’s in, with her stubborn love and these quiet moments of foreshadowing. Knox, though? He frustrated me at times, but in a way that felt intentional—his privilege and naivety clash hard with Da’Naisha’s reality.

The smaller roles are just as memorable. There’s a kid named Devin who brings this heartbreaking innocence to the group, and Leanne’s no-nonsense attitude balances Da’Naisha’s emotional load. Even the antagonists—like the armed men lurking outside Monticello—are terrifying because they’re so recognizably real. Johnson’s genius is in making every character, no matter how brief, serve the story’s tension. It’s not just about survival; it’s about who gets to claim history. I finished the book and immediately wanted to debate Da’Naisha’s choices with someone—that’s how vivid they all felt.