Driving Miss Daisy: Analysis of Major Characters
"Driving Miss Daisy" explores the evolving relationship between its three major characters: Daisy Werthan, Boolie Werthan, and Hoke Coleburn. Daisy, an elderly Jewish widow living alone in Atlanta, is characterized by her fierce independence and cantankerous nature. She grapples with her inherent biases and prejudices, reflective of the societal norms of her time. Boolie, her devoted son, recognizes the necessity of hiring a chauffeur for his mother as she ages, despite his own struggles with the racist attitudes within their community. Hoke, the African-American chauffeur, embodies wisdom and humility, developing a deep bond with Daisy that transcends their initial employer-employee dynamic. As the story unfolds, their relationships challenge and transform the characters, highlighting themes of friendship, tolerance, and the complexities of race relations in the South. This poignant narrative invites reflection on personal growth and societal change during a critical period in American history.
Driving Miss Daisy: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Alfred Uhry
First published: 1987
Genre: One-act play
Locale: Atlanta, Georgia
Plot: Historical fiction
Time: 1950s and 1960s
Daisy Werthan, an elderly Jewish widow. At age 72, Daisy has been living alone since her husband's death 40 years earlier. She is fiercely independent, and often cantankerous. As a native of Atlanta, Daisy is a product of her time, demonstrating an inherent racism. For example, when she finds an empty can of salmon in the garbage, she assumes Hoke has stolen it. Though she initially resists having a chauffeur, she finally relents, and an abiding friendship blossoms, within the confines of southern propriety, which lasts for the rest of her life.
Boolie Werthan, Daisy's son. At age 40, Boolie is a devoted son who, for his mother's own good, hires a driver for his mother, once it's clear she can no longer driver. He is generous, providing Hoke with competitive pay, and he continues to pay long after Hoke's services are no longer needed. However, he succumbs to racist politics when he tries to dissuade Daisy from attending a dinner honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. because it might hurt his business
Hoke Coleburn, Daisy's chauffeur. A simple, yet wise African-American man, Hoke is deeply devoted to Daisy. He is a man of humble dignity and proper decorum, who continues to care for Daisy long after his days as her chauffeur have ended.