Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Hoke Colburn

As the film's resident magical Negro (see his character profile for more information on this Hollywood stereotype), it's Hoke's job to soften up Miss Daisy like cold butter for biscuits and help her to see the error of her ways. To do this, he treads a fine line between being acquiescent and gently pushing back when she becomes offensive. Since he can't outright slap her silly hat off her head for being insolent, this puts him in a guide/mentor role.