Ava Bigtree is the protagonist and narrator of the first story in the collection, entitled, “Ava Wrestles the Alligator.” She is the younger sister of Ossie and the daughter of Chief Bigtree, who owns Swamplandia! This is “the island’s #1 Gator Theme Park and Swamp Café” (6).

At the start of the story, Ava is on the cusp of adulthood and is often confused by her sister’s more mature sexuality. She is also lonely and wishes to understand Ossie’s mystical romances. However, the narrative implies that her first sexual experience is assault by the Bird Man, which makes her more fearful and confused. Still, she does end the story by confronting her fears and ultimately wrestling her sister back from death by drowning.

Like many characters in the collection, Ava does transition from childhood to adulthood, but finds the process to be much darker and more painful than she was expecting. 

Ava’s older sister, and the daughter of Chief Bigtree, Ossie is a teenager who believes she is a gifted medium. Because of her gift, she never has to help maintain the park. As a result, much of the responsibility falls to Ava, a preteen, especially when the girls’ father is away.