Story Summary
“Angie Thomas’ gripping novel “The Hate U Give” is centered on a young girl named “Munch.” The story’s action takes place in Garden Heights, her violent and troubled neighborhood. The story is recounted from Munch’s point of view, giving the reader a close-up glimpse into her day-to-day activities with a particular emphasis on the pervasive police violence in her neighborhood.
Adonis, King, Carlos, Sekani, Maverick, Lisa, One-Fifteen, DeVante, Khalil, and Dalvin are the many characters in the plot. The rising violence in their area forces Munch’s family, including her mother, Lisa, and brother Sekani, to shelter in their uncle Carlos’ home. Munch’s reaction to this action brings back painful memories of her companion Khalil’s death at the hands of the police (Yanti,2021). In addition to examining the dynamics inside families, the book also examines the complex interactions between the individuals, highlighting the bonds of loyalty and friendship and the struggle to maintain morality in the face of violence and corruption.
Munch helps his father, and Maverick operates a store near where he works. Maverick’s family is shielded by the fact that he is the son of the infamous gangster King. However, there is a persistent undertone of hostility because the neighborhood is rife with rival gangs. The uplifting lyrics of rapper Tupac, whose music frequently plays in the background, provide peace for the family. Maverick’s store acts as a center for the neighborhood, providing a venue for gathering, story-sharing, and support (Yanti, 2021). It represents resiliency and hope in a neighborhood riddled with conflict and is essential to the developing drama.
DeVante, a young man running from a gang, knocks on Maverick’s shop door one day. Maverick hesitates at first, but he does so after realizing DeVante needs to stay because of Maverick’s relationship with Adonis. The plot becomes more complex due to DeVante’s appearance, which highlights the challenging decisions people must make to survive in a dangerous environment (Yanti, 2021). His interactions with Maverick also highlight the unwritten principles of honor and accountability that exist among those aware of the streets’ unwritten laws.
Story Analysis
The tragic tale of Khalil is a moving aspect of the story. He was a young man who turned to drug dealing and was slain as a result of a traffic check by the police. This incident starts a discussion in Munch’s family, with her mother pushing to move to a safer area and switching the kids’ schools. However, Maverick is reluctant to leave his roots behind, which sparks a family argument highlighting the more significant concerns.
The internal conflict within the family reflects the difficulties the larger community faces on the outside. Their choices reflect society’s forces and the challenging decisions many families facing comparable circumstances are forced to make (Yanti, 2021). The narrative leverages this internal conflict to delve into more general concerns of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of safety and stability.
Author Analysis
Angie Thomas utilizes her story to highlight the harsh realities of life, in particular, the pervasiveness of racism, discrimination, and police violence. Through her colorful narrative, she illustrates the injustice of life, particularly for people who reside in underprivileged groups. Thomas focuses on the value of equality and values regardless of race and denounces the pervasive racism and bigotry that still exist in society. The story draws comparisons to actual instances of police violence, such as the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, highlighting the gravity and relevancy of the concerns Thomas raises.
Reference
Yanti, Y. I. (2021). The Portrait of Racial Discrimination Against Black American People in Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give. Universitas Andalas, 3(1). Web.
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