Character Development Through Surroundings In The Hate U Give

Exploring Character Development Through Surroundings in The Hate U Give The power of choice is not something everyone is born with; it's a hard-won privilege. Although some people may receive opportunities without effort, it is similar to being handed their “power of choice” on a silver platter. Others must look through a metaphorical dumpster to find that power. In parallel to The Hate U Give, Khalil was denied the choice to live, and initially, Starr faced similar challenges. However, she defied the path she had made for herself and forged her own. In Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give, the contrasting settings in Starr's life contribute to shaping her character, revealing that life's journey is never a straight line. The environment in which

Early in The Hate U Give, Starr expresses discomfort at a party in Garden Heights, stating that she “shouldn’t have gone” and doesn’t “even.belong at this party” (Thomas, Page 7). Starr’s uneasiness highlights her struggle to fit into an environment she is expected to call “home,” beginning to reveal the control and influence her surroundings have on her at this moment. Secondly, when the two contrasting settings meet, Starr, at first, experiences a mix of fear and confusion. However, Starr eventually overcomes this fear and gains confidence in herself. After taking time off from school due to the stress following Khalil’s death, Starr’s white boyfriend from Williamson Prep, Chris, visits her in Garden Heights to check on her. Despite the disapproval she would receive from her dad, Starr displays a new “kinda boldness”—not only for herself but also to “stand up for Khalil” (Thomas, Page 151). Initially, Starr’s emotions were influenced by the expectations of those who surround her in Garden Heights, leading to fear of her father’s, King’s, reaction while also wanting to stand up for Chris. Even after anticipating King’s anger, Starr decides to be confident and pursue her relationship with