The Great Gilly Hopkins Style

The Great Gilly Hopkins Style

Point of View

The Great Gilly Hopkins is told from a third person point of view that is very close to the main character. In fact, the reader is privileged to hear Gilly's inner monologue. This is extremely revealing, as it shows that she is sarcastic and perceptive and not as tough as she pretends.

Setting

The Great Gilly Hopkins is set in a small town in the eastern United States. The time period is not specified, but the reader can infer that the story takes place in the 1970s. By this time, the Civil Rights movement has come and gone, having left its mark on American society. However, racial prejudice and segregation is still prevalent. For example, in her first few foster homes, Gilly has had very little interaction with people of different racial backgrounds than her own. Thompson Park, however, is a diverse community. For example, Gilly's new next-door-neighbor and new teacher...
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