The Great Gilly Hopkins Social Sensitivity

The Great Gilly Hopkins Social Sensitivity

One way Paterson traces her protagonist's growth—from antagonism to cooperative behavior—is to reveal this gradual change through Gilly's language. Gilly's habit of swearing helps readers understand just how much she develops; her use of mild expletives creates realism and shows how she releases the anger she has stored up.

Hoping to shock people when she curses, Gilly also wants to see how far she can go before someone stops her. After cursing freely at the beginning of the book, Gilly tries to change for the sake of Trotter. By the time she arrives at her grandmother's house, Gilly has almost eliminated the habit. Yet in her final phone conversation with Trotter, Gilly does curse, combining frustration with sadness. She is angry over her lost situation at Trotter's and her lost illusions about her mother; but, most important, she recognizes that the love that Trotter offers is unconditional.