Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Vida Sherwin

While it's true that she can sometimes seem like a frenemy, Vida Sherwin is the closest thing Carol Kennicott has to a mentor in Gopher Prairie. Like Carol, Vida thinks that Gopher Prairie is boring and mediocre. Unfortunately, Vida Sherwin doesn't believe that rocking the boat is the way to get things done in a place like Gopher Prairie. Vida Sherwin advises Carol to play the game and get on people's good side if she wants to bring change.

Of course, this strategy is never very satisfying for Carol. She wants a revolution, while Vida wants to change things gradually from inside the system. Unlike Carol, Vida isn't obsessed with making other people accept her views—and that's probably why Vida ends up accomplishing more (like getting a new school built) than Carol ever does.