* The House: This is the protagonist of the story. It's a highly advanced, automated house that continues to function despite the total nuclear annihilation that has taken place outside.
* The Voice: This is the house's disembodied, robotic voice that provides instructions and narrates the events of the story.
* The Dog: A family pet who has died from radiation poisoning, but whose charred remains are discovered by the house's cleaning mechanisms.
* The Ghosts of the Family: While not present physically, the family members who once lived in the house are constantly referenced throughout the story, serving as a reminder of what was lost. These include:
* The Father
* The Mother
* The Children (a son and a daughter)
The story is a powerful meditation on the destructive nature of war and the enduring presence of nature, even in the face of complete societal collapse. It explores themes of loss, the human condition, and the potential for both destruction and renewal.