Perhaps there are also characters who are already settled in America but interact with the new immigrants. They could be the ones who help or hinder the immigrants' integration, and through their relationships, the story of Ellis Island unfolds in the novel.
There could be immigration officers or officials at Ellis Island as main characters too. They might play a role in determining the fates of the immigrants, and the novel could explore their perspectives, like how they deal with the flood of new arrivals and the rules they have to enforce.
There could be a range of main characters. Maybe there's an immigration officer who is strict but has a heart of gold. And then there could be the immigrants themselves, such as a Jewish man fleeing persecution in his homeland, and a Chinese laborer hoping for a better future. These characters would interact in the story, their different backgrounds and goals creating the plot. The story might also feature some local people who help or hinder the immigrants' journey in this fictional account.
Another possible theme could be the concept of a new beginning. Ellis Island represented a threshold between the old life and the new. The story in the novel may focus on the characters' quests for a fresh start, leaving behind their pasts in search of better opportunities in America, whether it was economic, social or personal.
The identity of the author of the 'ellis island short story' remains a mystery. It could be a contemporary writer looking back at history, or it could be someone from an earlier era who had personal experience or knowledge of Ellis Island. It might even be a student's creative writing project that hasn't gained wide recognition yet.
There might be a castaway who has to adapt to the island life. There could also be a group of sailors who end up on the island by accident. Among them, there may be a leader figure who tries to keep everyone in order and find a way to get off the island. Additionally, there could be a local on the island who helps or hinders the outsiders depending on the story's direction.
I don't know as I haven't read it, but likely there are characters who are golddiggers, and perhaps the people they target, like wealthy businessmen or heirs.
In 'Transmetropolitan', the main character is Spider Jerusalem. He's a wild and uncompromising journalist. In 'Planetary', Elijah Snow is one of the key characters. He has a long - lived past and is part of the exploration of the strange world. In 'Global Frequency', there's a large cast of agents, but Miranda Zero is an important figure who helps coordinate the efforts against threats.
There are also various other characters like the local villagers, lords, and ladies. The villagers add a touch of authenticity to the historical setting. They might be the ones bringing news or being witnesses to events. The lords and ladies, on the other hand, introduce the power dynamics and political intrigue of the time. For example, a lord might be involved in a land dispute, and Brother Cadfael has to navigate the complex relationships to solve a related mystery.
I'm not sure which Monkey Island novel you specifically mean, so it's difficult to name the main characters. But it could be a pirate as a main character.
It depends on the specific Angel Island Novel. However, often the main characters are immigrants themselves, such as a young Chinese man hoping to make a new life in America, or a Japanese woman with a family she's trying to reunite with.
There might be a character named Ralph. He is more of a thinker and planner, and helps the group make decisions about things like building shelters and finding food. He is good at coordinating with others.