As the protagonist of Monkey Beach, Lisa’s personality, conflicts, and motivations drive the novel’s plot and core themes. Lisa’s first-person voice narrates the novel, and the action is filtered through her perceptions. The tension between Lisa as a normal teenager and also a woman with extraordinary spiritual capabilities heightens the novel’s drama and psychological depth.

For much of the novel, Lisa struggles with the typical teen challenges of navigating family relationships, going to school, friendships, and romantic relationships. She displays independence and rebelliousness, inspired in part by her Uncle Mick. Growing up in Kitamaat among the Haisla is another vital aspect of Lisa’s identity. Underneath the veneer of her fairly normal teen life, however, Lisa has to learn to live with her ability to communicate with the dead and spirits. Coming to terms with this ability is what spurs Lisa’s character development over the course of the novel.

Lisa’s ability causes her stress at first, such as her dreams of the little man. Later, however, Ma-ma-oo accepts and encourages Lisa’s ability, calling it a gift. Lisa’s friends Frank, Pooch, and Cheese also accept Lisa’s ability to some degree. However, the devastating losses of both Mick and Ma-ma-oo upend Lisa’s sense of self once again.