Characterization
GITL
Context: In Chapter 4, Hannah finds herself in a different
place, and she sees Gitl for the first time.
Direct Quote: The narrator explains, “The woman was
dressed in a dark skirt with a smudged apron…sleeves
rolled up, and blue kerchief on her head. Her bare arms
were dusted with flour…she was pounding bread dough”
(Yolen 23).
Commentary: This description makes me think Gitl is a
common woman. She does not sound rich or fancy. Instead,
Yolen characterizes her as someone who works hard around
her house.
Context: As Gitl continues to prepare food she instructs
Hannah to set the table with the Sabbath cloth because the
next day’s wedding is a special occasion.
Direct Quote: Gitl says to Hannah, “’Well, Chaya, move!’”
(24). When Hannah remains standing, Gitl asks, “’Why are
you standing there looking like a Chelm fool, Chaya? The
cloth child. I swear, the fever that carried your poor parents
off…has done more damage than we thought’” (24).
Commentary: Gitl expects her orders to be followed. She
seems to have a strict kind of tone to her when she speaks.
Context: When Shmuel enters the house from the field, he
hugs Hannah. Gitl scolds him.
Direct Quote: She says, “’Put her down, Shmuel!...You are so
much of a prize you can kiss women without bathing?’” (25).
Commentary: Gitl has no problem ordering her brother
around. She seems to be the one in charge in the house.
Context: Twice in Chapter 4, Shmuel mentions men that Gitl could be
matched with as a wife. Yet in both cases, Gitl quickly denies
interest. First Shmuel suggests she could marry Yitzchak the butcher.
Indirect Quote: Gitl calls him a monster and suggests he only wants
someone to watch his children for him (27). Later when Shmuel
suggests Gitl wants to hear from Avrom Morowitz so she can move to
America, Gitl snaps back that she would not move to America. She
plans to live in the Shetl forever just as her parents did.
Commentary: Gitl clearly does not depend on a man for
her happiness or safety. She is traditional in that she plans
to stay in her home village as her parents did. She is an
independent woman, and the way she responds to Shmuel’s
comments make her seem a bit feisty.
Context: At the end of Chapter 4, Hannah seems to be in
shock about her situation. She gets into bed and has little to
say. Gitl comforts her.
Direct Quote: Gitl calls Hannah a “poor little bird,” and she
tells Hannah, “’Never mind, little Chaya…Shmuel and I—we
are your family now’” (30-31).
Commentary: Even though Gitl has a hard edge to her, she
also is loving. Earlier in the chapter she refers to Shmuel’s
fiancé as a “jewel,” and here she handles Hannah softly,
trying to help her feel comfortable.
Context: When Yitzchak arrives in Chapter 5, Shmuel
explains the sleeping arrangements for the wedding night.
She and Hannah will not sleep in the same small house as
Shmuel and Fayge. Gitl yells at Shmuel not to speak of
these things in front of a child. Yitzchak tells Gitl Shmuel
meant no harm, and Gitl lashes out at him.
Direct Quote: She snaps, “’Hush, Yitzchak the butcher. Do
not tell me in my house what is and what it not’” (38).
Commentary: Here Gitl reveals her tough side. She will not
tolerate someone speaking against her in her home, and she
has no problem sternly correcting someone, man or woman,
who breaks her rules.
Context: As this exchange in Chapter 5 ends, Gitl discovers
Yitzchak left his children outside the house when he first
came in. They come in and then are taken back outside by
Yitzchak as they help prepare for the wedding.
Direct Quote: Gitl says, “’Imagine leaving those sweet,
motherless children outside like chickens in cages’” (40).
Commentary: Again, we see Gitl has a soft side to her. Just
like she spoke softly to Hannah in the previous chapter, she
speaks gently about Yitzchak’s two children, Reuven and
Tzipporah.