Character Clues

Character Analysis

Names

Okay, so get this…

We're told that Cecile left her daughters because she couldn't name Fern herself.

Then Cecile changes her name to Nzila.

Thinking names might be important in this book? Yeah, us too. And just in case we weren't getting the message, Delphine breaks it down for us, saying:

A name is important. It isn't something you drop in the litter basket or on the ground. Your name is how people know you. The very mention of your name makes a picture spring to mind, whether it's a picture of clashing fists or a mighty mountain that can't be knocked down. Your name is who you are and how you're known even when you do something great or something dumb. (13.2)

There you have it: Names are a way of identifying someone. They help us understand who someone is and what they are all about. It's not just the word that's written on your driver's license. It's way bigger than that. To Delphine, a name represents your whole identity. Because of this, it bugs Delphine that her mom got a new name—and it bugs Fern that anybody wants to call her Afua. She's Fern, please and thank you. That Cecile/Nzila doesn't recognize this shows how little she understands her daughter.

Actions

How do we know Cecile is a terrible mother? Well, sure, we could listen to Delphine talk about her… but we can also just look at what Cecile does. On her highlight reel we see:

• Cecile leaving her kids and heading cross country to make a new life for herself without them,
• Cecile refusing to feed her kids properly, instead sending them out for Chinese food every day, and
• Cecile shipping her kids off to the Center instead of spending any time with them.

You know how actions speak louder than words? When it comes to Cecile, she and Delphine can both keep their mouths shut; we clearly see what type of mother she is through her actions.

Cecile isn't the only character whose actions speak volumes, though. Another prime example is Kelvin—the guy who betrays the Black Panthers by secretly being in cahoots with the police. Tsk tsk.