Who are the characters in A Different Mirror?

A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki doesn't have characters as such. It's largely a history book and a commentary on the different experiences of cultures in the United States. However, there are a few notable figures who appear in the narrative, including Takaki himself, a cab driver, and Thomas Jefferson.

At the beginning of the book, Takaki finds himself in the back of a cab, where he is asked how long he's been in the...

A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki doesn't have characters as such. It's largely a history book and a commentary on the different experiences of cultures in the United States. However, there are a few notable figures who appear in the narrative, including Takaki himself, a cab driver, and Thomas Jefferson.

At the beginning of the book, Takaki finds himself in the back of a cab, where he is asked how long he's been in the United States. The cab driver is curious because Takaki speaks English well.

Except, as Takaki tells him, he's always been in the United States. His family immigrated more than a century ago.

The cab driver's interaction with Takaki starts off a narrative that shows how often people are unaware of the history of their nation. He leaves the driver and thinks about how that interaction is the exact reason why he is on the way to a conference on multiculturalism.

Thomas Jefferson plays a large role as a person who contributes to the stereotyping of Native Americans as dangerous—all while attempting to coerce friendly groups into adopting the European culture and way of life. Takaki quotes Jefferson extensively, showing both his public and private thoughts on other cultures incorporating into America.

For example, it's taught that Jefferson was a person who wanted to end slavery, and that well may be true. But Takaki explains that Jefferson also believed that black people would have to be removed from American society because they could not coexist with whites due to their inferiority.

Another character mentioned is Richard Parker, who was hired by company representatives to set up a black union called the American Unity Labor union. This was done specifically to keep black and white union workers separate and to benefit the owners of the factories. 

While A Different Mirror doesn't have a standard set of characters, many people from American history are mentioned, and Takaki details his experience with a cab driver.