List of Characters

Role Identification

Starr Carter

Starr is the protagonist of the novel, a 16-year-old African-American girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend by a police officer. She grapples with her identity and must find her voice in the fight for justice.

Maverick Carter

Maverick is Starr's father, a former gang member turned community activist. He is a strong father figure who is deeply invested in protecting his family and neighborhood.

Lisa Carter

Lisa is Starr's mother, a nurse who strives to provide a better life for her children. She is protective of her family and wants to shield them from the dangers of their neighborhood.

Khalil Harris

Khalil is Starr's childhood friend who is shot and killed by a police officer. His death sets off a chain of events that forces Starr to confront issues of race, identity, and activism.

Chris

Chris is Starr's boyfriend, who is white. He struggles to understand Starr's experiences as a black girl living in a predominantly black neighborhood.

Seven

Seven is Starr's older brother, who serves as a protective and supportive figure in her life. He is also involved in activism and seeks justice for Khalil.

Kenya

Kenya is Starr's half-sister, with whom she shares a complex relationship. Kenya is outspoken and often clashes with Starr over their differing perspectives.

DeVante

DeVante is a former gang member who seeks refuge with the Carter family after leaving the gang. He becomes an important character in Starr's journey as she navigates the aftermath of Khalil's death.

Character Descriptions

Starr Carter

Starr is a 16-year-old girl who attends a predominantly white private school while living in a predominantly black neighborhood. She is torn between these two worlds and struggles to reconcile her identity in each of them.

Maverick Carter

Maverick is a strong, principled man who owns a grocery store in Garden Heights. He is a devoted father who wants to protect his children from the violence and injustices that plague their community.

Lisa Carter

Lisa works as a nurse and is a caring, nurturing mother who wants the best for her family. She is often torn between her desire to shield her children from harm and her commitment to standing up for justice.

Khalil Harris

Khalil is Starr's childhood friend, who becomes a symbol of the systemic racism and police brutality that plagues their community. His death ignites a fire within Starr to seek justice and speak out against the injustices faced by black people.

Chris

Chris is Starr's boyfriend, who struggles to understand the challenges and experiences that come with being a black girl in America. He is supportive of Starr, but their differing backgrounds create tension in their relationship.

Seven

Seven is Starr's older brother, a role model and protector who is actively involved in advocating for justice in their community. He encourages Starr to find her voice and stand up for what is right.

Kenya

Kenya is Starr's half-sister, with a bold and outspoken personality. She often clashes with Starr, representing different approaches to navigating the challenges of their neighborhood.

DeVante

DeVante is a former gang member who seeks refuge with the Carter family. His presence challenges Starr's perceptions of individuals involved in gang activity and plays a significant role in her growth and understanding of her community.

Character Traits

Starr Carter

Starr is intelligent, resilient, and compassionate. Her experiences force her to confront difficult truths about society and herself, ultimately shaping her into a confident advocate for justice.

Maverick Carter

Maverick is principled, protective, and determined. His past as a gang member informs his commitment to creating positive change in Garden Heights, and his devotion to his family is unwavering.

Lisa Carter

Lisa is nurturing, empathetic, and strong-willed. Her nurturing nature is evident in her approach to parenting, while her strength is demonstrated in her unwavering support for her family and her community.

Khalil Harris

Khalil is loyal, compassionate, and resilient. His loyalty to Starr and his community is unwavering, and his resilience in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration to Starr.

Chris

Chris is caring, understanding, and open-minded. While he struggles to fully comprehend Starr's experiences, his willingness to learn and support her is evident in their relationship.

Seven

Seven is protective, supportive, and passionate. His protective nature extends to his family and community, and his passion for justice motivates Starr to find her voice.

Kenya

Kenya is outspoken, independent, and fierce. Her outspoken nature often leads to clashes with Starr, but her independence and strength make her a force to be reckoned with.

DeVante

DeVante is vulnerable, resilient, and introspective. His experiences as a former gang member provide a unique perspective that challenges Starr's preconceptions and contributes to her personal growth.

Character Background

Starr Carter

Starr grew up in Garden Heights, a predominantly black neighborhood known for its challenges with poverty and gang violence. She attends Williamson Prep, a predominantly white private school, which creates a stark contrast in her life experiences.

Maverick Carter

Maverick was formerly involved in gang activity but chose to leave that life behind to become a responsible father and a positive influence in the community. He is determined to provide a better future for his children.

Lisa Carter

Lisa works as a nurse and is dedicated to providing a stable and nurturing environment for her family. Her experiences as a black woman inform her commitment to advocating for justice and equality.

Khalil Harris

Khalil grew up with Starr in Garden Heights and became involved in drug dealing to provide for his family. Despite the challenges he faces, he remains loyal to his community and friends.

Chris

Chris comes from a privileged background, attending the same private school as Starr. His upbringing contrasts starkly with Starr's, leading to a clash of perspectives and experiences in their relationship.

Seven

Seven takes on the role of a protective older brother for Starr and strives to be a positive role model for his siblings. He is deeply involved in activism and community outreach.

Kenya

Kenya shares a complicated relationship with Starr, as they have different perspectives on how to navigate life in Garden Heights. Her strong-willed nature often brings her into conflict with Starr's choices.

DeVante

DeVante's experiences as a former gang member provide insight into the challenges faced by individuals in Garden Heights. His presence challenges Starr's assumptions and leads to personal growth.

Character Arcs

Starr Carter

Starr's character arc is marked by her journey from silence to activism. Witnessing Khalil's death forces her to confront the systemic racism and police brutality that have plagued her community, leading her to find her voice and advocate for justice.

Maverick Carter

Maverick's arc revolves around his transformation from a former gang member to a dedicated father and community activist. His commitment to protecting his family and seeking justice is unwavering, showcasing his growth and evolution.

Lisa Carter

Lisa's character arc is characterized by her evolution from a nurturing mother to a vocal advocate for equality and justice. Her experiences and challenges lead her to become more outspoken in her commitment to creating positive change.

Khalil Harris

Khalil's arc is tragically cut short, but his impact on Starr's journey is profound. Through his death, Starr is compelled to seek justice and confront the systemic issues that led to his fate.

Chris

Chris's arc revolves around his attempts to understand and support Starr in her quest for justice. His experiences with Starr challenge his preconceptions and lead him to become more empathetic and open-minded.

Seven

Seven's character arc is defined by his role as a supportive and protective figure for Starr. His commitment to activism and justice inspires Starr to find her own voice and fight for what is right.

Kenya

Kenya's arc is marked by her clashes with Starr and her evolution as an independent and outspoken individual. Her differing perspectives contribute to Starr's growth and understanding of their community.

DeVante

DeVante's character arc centers on his transition from a former gang member seeking refuge to someone who challenges Starr's assumptions and contributes to her personal growth. His experiences provide valuable insight into the complexities of life in Garden Heights.

Relationships

Starr's relationships with Khalil, her family members, and her boyfriend Chris, play pivotal roles in shaping her perspective and actions throughout the novel. These connections highlight the complexities of family dynamics, friendship, and love amidst the backdrop of systemic injustices and personal growth.

In conclusion, "The Hate U Give" features a diverse array of characters whose interactions and growth contribute to a powerful narrative addressing themes of identity, race, and social justice. Each character's unique traits, backgrounds, and relationships serve as integral components in shaping the compelling story and the protagonist's transformative journey.