List of Characters

Role Identification

Gilly Hopkins

Gilly Hopkins is the protagonist of the novel. She is a troubled and rebellious 11-year-old girl who has been in and out of foster homes and is longing to be reunited with her biological mother.

Maime Trotter

Maime Trotter is Gilly's foster mother, who is warm, caring, and patient. She tries to provide a stable and loving environment for Gilly despite her challenging behavior.

Mr. Randolph

Mr. Randolph is Gilly's biological father, whom she has never met. He is depicted as a successful businessman who is unable to take care of Gilly due to his busy schedule.

Nonnie Hopkins

Nonnie Hopkins is Gilly's biological mother, who gave her up for adoption when she was a baby. Gilly longs to be reunited with her, believing that her life will be perfect once she is with her mother.

William Ernest

William Ernest is Gilly's foster brother, who has an intellectual disability. He forms a close bond with Gilly and is one of the few people who can break through her tough exterior.

Agnes Stokes

Agnes Stokes is a classmate of Gilly's who becomes her friend. She helps Gilly see the world from a different perspective and challenges her to reconsider her behavior.

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins is Gilly's biological grandmother. She is a wealthy and sophisticated woman who becomes involved in Gilly's life, leading to significant developments in the story.

Character Descriptions

Gilly Hopkins

Gilly is described as a fiercely independent and intelligent young girl with a tough exterior. She is quick-witted, resourceful, and often uses her sharp tongue as a defense mechanism. Despite her bravado, she harbors deep emotional scars from her turbulent past.

Maime Trotter

Maime Trotter is portrayed as a kind, nurturing, and understanding woman. She is patient with Gilly, even when faced with her challenging behavior, and tries to create a sense of family and stability for Gilly and William Ernest.

Mr. Randolph

Mr. Randolph is depicted as a distant figure who is preoccupied with his career. He is characterized as being emotionally detached from Gilly, which contributes to her yearning for her biological family.

Nonnie Hopkins

Nonnie Hopkins is portrayed as a mysterious and idealized figure in Gilly's mind. Gilly longs to be reunited with her, believing that her mother will provide the love and care she has been missing.

William Ernest

William Ernest is described as a gentle, kind-hearted boy with an intellectual disability. He forms a close bond with Gilly, and his innocence and sincerity challenge Gilly's perceptions and behavior.

Agnes Stokes

Agnes Stokes is depicted as a compassionate and perceptive girl who befriends Gilly. She offers Gilly a different perspective on life and friendship, ultimately influencing Gilly's personal growth.

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins is portrayed as a sophisticated and wealthy woman. Her involvement in Gilly's life brings about significant changes and revelations for Gilly and the other characters.

Character Traits

Gilly Hopkins

• Independent
• Intelligent
• Resourceful
• Sharp-tongued
• Emotionally scarred
• Fiercely protective

Maime Trotter

• Kind
• Nurturing
• Patient
• Understanding
• Fosters a sense of family

Mr. Randolph

• Distant
• Preoccupied with career
• Emotionally detached

Nonnie Hopkins

• Idealized figure in Gilly's mind
• Source of longing and yearning for Gilly

William Ernest

• Gentle
• Kind-hearted
• Innocent
• Sincere

Agnes Stokes

• Compassionate
• Perceptive
• Influential in Gilly's personal growth

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins

• Sophisticated
• Wealthy
• Catalyst for significant changes in the story

Character Background

Gilly Hopkins

Gilly has a tumultuous background, having been in and out of foster homes. She holds onto the hope of reuniting with her biological mother, Nonnie Hopkins, whom she believes will provide the love and stability she craves.

Maime Trotter

Maime Trotter is a foster mother who opens her home to Gilly and William Ernest. She has a nurturing nature and strives to create a stable and loving environment for the children in her care.

Mr. Randolph

Mr. Randolph is Gilly's biological father, but his absence from her life has contributed to her feelings of rejection and abandonment.

Nonnie Hopkins

Nonnie Hopkins is Gilly's biological mother, who gave her up for adoption. Gilly's longing for her mother drives much of her behavior and decisions throughout the novel.

William Ernest

William Ernest is Gilly's foster brother, who forms a deep bond with her despite their initial differences. His innocence and kindness play a significant role in Gilly's emotional development.

Agnes Stokes

Agnes Stokes becomes Gilly's friend and provides her with a different perspective on life and relationships. Her influence challenges Gilly's beliefs and behaviors.

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins, Gilly's biological grandmother, enters the story as a significant figure who impacts the lives of the characters in unexpected ways.

Character Arcs

Gilly Hopkins

Gilly's character arc revolves around her growth from a defensive and rebellious girl to someone who learns to open herself up to love and connection. Her journey involves confronting her past and reevaluating her relationships with those around her.

Maime Trotter

Maime's character arc involves her nurturing and caring nature, as she strives to provide stability and love for Gilly and William Ernest. Her role in Gilly's life leads her to confront challenges and make difficult decisions.

Mr. Randolph

Mr. Randolph's character arc is centered around his distant relationship with Gilly and his eventual realization of the impact of his absence on her life. His journey involves coming to terms with his responsibilities as a father.

Nonnie Hopkins

Nonnie's character arc is intertwined with Gilly's longing for her and the ultimate revelations about her past. Her background and choices significantly influence the trajectory of the story.

William Ernest

William Ernest's character arc revolves around his bond with Gilly and the impact he has on her emotional growth. His journey involves navigating the complexities of his relationship with Gilly and the challenges they face together.

Agnes Stokes

Agnes Stokes' character arc is defined by her friendship with Gilly and the influence she has on Gilly's perceptions and behavior. Her role in Gilly's life leads to significant personal growth and realizations for both characters.

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins' character arc involves her unexpected involvement in Gilly's life, leading to revelations and changes that affect the dynamics of the story.

Relationships

Gilly Hopkins and Maime Trotter

Gilly's relationship with Maime Trotter evolves from initial resistance to a deep bond based on mutual understanding and love. Maime's patience and care play a crucial role in Gilly's emotional development.

Gilly Hopkins and Mr. Randolph

Gilly's longing for a relationship with her biological father, Mr. Randolph, drives much of her behavior. Their eventual interaction and reconciliation significantly impact Gilly's emotional journey.

Gilly Hopkins and Nonnie Hopkins

Gilly's idealized view of her biological mother, Nonnie Hopkins, influences her decisions and behavior throughout the novel. The revelations about Nonnie's past have a profound effect on Gilly.

Gilly Hopkins and William Ernest

Gilly's relationship with William Ernest evolves into a deep and meaningful bond based on trust and understanding. William Ernest's innocence and kindness challenge Gilly's perceptions and behaviour.

Gilly Hopkins and Agnes Stokes

Agnes Stokes becomes a friend and confidante to Gilly, providing her with a different perspective on life and relationships. Their friendship leads to significant personal growth for Gilly.

Gilly Hopkins and Courtney Rutherford Hopkins

Courtney Rutherford Hopkins' unexpected involvement in Gilly's life brings about revelations and changes that impact the dynamics of the story, leading to significant developments for Gilly and the other characters.

In conclusion, "The Great Gilly Hopkins" features a diverse cast of characters whose relationships and personal journeys drive the emotional depth of the novel. Gilly's evolution from rebelliousness to vulnerability, influenced by her interactions with others, forms the heart of the story. The interwoven character arcs and relationships contribute to the exploration of themes such as family, identity, and the complexities of human connection.