Setting

We know that the story takes place in Hades, as the characters mentioned it:” You
are an Unger - from Hades”. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any information about it, so
Hades may be a fictional or very small town.
Probably it is a southern town as John’s mother packed a few electric fans and
linen suits - things that make our life more comfortable in the heat.
Moreover, I suppose that “Hades” is a religious allusion that highlights hot
weather again or reveals other senses in the next chapters (For example, maybe
some characters lived there like in hell, they were unhappy or vice versa, etc)
Such clues as the Victorian motto over the gates of the town suggests that the
story takes place in the 20th century, as Victorian style was popular in the 19th
century and the author called the motto “old-fashioned”.

John

John is a flat, dynamic, majour character, the author uses the indirect method of
characterization.
John T. Unger is a teenager, who leaves his home and native town. In the text we
see a wide range of his feelings.
Probably he’s not very close with his parents: John and his father only shake
their hands like they are business partners, not father and son. Moreover, we don’t
see any connection with mother. John answers “huskily”, so I suppose he doesn't
believe that his father’s words are sincere or it highlights their strained relations.
The character is dynamic: in the beginning of the extract the boy is cold to
parents, then he cries as he leaves his home, but in the end of the story he is
decisive, so John turns resolutely towards his future leaving Hades behind him.
However, the lights of Hades against the sky still seem full of a warm and passionate
beauty for the boy.

Mr and Mrs Unger

Mr. Unger, John’s father, seems to be a very important person in Hades.

Probably he is a mayor of the town or a deputy as he tried to change the motto of
Hades.
I think Mr Unger values his origin, his status when he says his son not to forget
about it - his last advice (You are Unger - from Hades).
Mr. Unger is a wealthy person as he gives John a pocket book not full, but even
stuffed with money.
Anyway, the man looks like a caring father, promising that they will be always glad
to see John.
Mrs. Unger is described as a silly person, but I think she may be confused
because of her son’s departure.
 In this case we see the patriarchal family, where father is the head and everyone
should follow his rules.