The Jean in the title refers to Jean Cadoille, who is the main protagonist of the novel *Jean de Florette*. He is a young man who inherits a piece of land called "La Source" and attempts to revive it with the help of his wife, but faces opposition and deceit from the surrounding landowners, particularly Ugolin Soubeyran and his son Baptiste.
* Ugolin Soubeyran is the main antagonist in the story and is responsible for much of the suffering Jean de Florette endures.
* Baptiste is Ugolin's son and is complicit in the schemes against Jean.
* Manon, Ugolin's daughter, is the titular character of the sequel *Manon des Sources*, where she seeks revenge for the injustice suffered by Jean de Florette.