Sophia is a young Finnish girl who spends the summer with her father and her grandmother on an island in the Gulf of Finland. Her mother passed away from an illness or disease not specified in the story. Neither Sophia’s age nor her appearance is given in the text, but from her characterization, the reader can infer that she has not yet reached adolescence. She is characterized as active, curious, and self-centered; however, she does display some emotional growth through the vignettes as well, suggesting the passing of time and her own gradual maturation.

Sophia is a dynamic protagonist, although she does not have a traditional character arc. Her relationship with her grandmother is driven, in part, by her self-centered nature. Over the course of the novel, Grandmother helps Sophia transition from youthful self-centeredness to a more mature state of mind that involves early empathy skills. Her new skills allow her to construct a stronger relationship with Father, as the two of them became emotionally distant after the death of Sophia’s mother.

Along with her burgeoning empathy, Sophia also develops a strong connection with nature by exploring the environments on the island.