Character Analysis Of Gorilla My Love

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Hazel is the main character and narrator of "Gorilla, My Love," by Toni Cade Bambara. She is between the ages of ten or twelve years old and an African American girl living in Harlem, New York with her family. While riding in the car with her grandfather, her uncle Jefferson Winston Vale, aka Hunca Bubba, and her little brother in the beginning of the story story's, she learns that Hunca Bubba, is in love and plans to be married. This angers Hazel, and she thinks back to an Easter Sunday when she and her brothers went to the movies. By her account, some of the fun in going to the movies is throwing popcorn, making noises, and leading the other children in disruptions. They all knew from past times how much noise they can make, how far they can push the theater personal before they get into trouble, and they enjoy seeing the personal angry. On this Easter Sunday in question the theater was advertising a film called Gorilla, My Love, but the theater is actually showing a religious picture, King of Kings, and an old Bugs Bunny cartoon. Hazel agitates the children in the crowd in order to cause loud protest, and marches into the manager's office to demand her money back. When the manager refuses to speak or even return her money, she steals a book of matches and lights a fire in the lobby. Somehow, Hazel is so fierce in her explanation, and her voice is so strong and confident, that she seems tough and likeable at the same time. Hazel has been raised to speak her mind, and she does. She avoids a whipping from her father by explaining that the adults had made a promise—that they would show Gorilla, My Love—and broke it. Hazel's rebellion, in her eyes, was a blow for the value of keeping one's word. Knowing she was raised to stand for ... ... middle of paper ... ... scenes of the story, he is driving to the South to get pecans, Hazel, Baby Jason, and Hunca Bubba have come along to help. Hazel enjoys her trips with Granddaddy Vale because he lets her sit in the front seat and navigates, and calls her "Scout," "Peaches," and "Precious." Granddaddy is calm and supporting of the children and the grandchildren's decisions even when the other adults do not; he tries to reason with Hazel in the face of Hunca Bubba's betrayal. His calm, and focus on driving and getting proper directions, only makes Hazel angrier. Thunderbuns is the nickname given to one of the ushers at the Washington movie theater. Her job is to help patrons find their seats, and to help keep order in the theater. Thunderbuns is not all ways in the theater; she comes out only "in case of an emergency," that is, when the children are acting up and causing problems.

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