Ellie is the major protagonist of the book and the main point-of-view character. Most of the novel centers on Ellie’s experiences and perceptions. Ellie is an only child, and part of her loneliness as a child is due to the death of her father when she was seven. Unlike her mother, who bemoaned the change in their circumstances, young Ellie makes the best of her situation and finds things to look forward to, like school and making friends. She will continue to exhibit this ability to adapt to circumstances throughout her life; this resilience is, arguably, the one quality Ellie possesses of the shir zan, the lion woman who is theme and symbol throughout the novel.

Young Ellie is a bit vain and self-important, and these qualities stay with her. She follows rules and doesn’t complain because she doesn’t want to get into trouble. Ellie would rather avoid conflict and discomfort if she can, which is the chief way in which she differs from Homa. She appreciates when things are easy and is glad for how her way is smoothed when she grows from being a chubby child to a pretty young woman.