As the story progresses the author informs the reader of the Grandmother’s relationships with her family members which all significantly contribute to developing her strong characterization. Perhaps a lack of respect for the Grandmother is clearly indicated when her grandson comments, “If you don’t want to go to Florida, why dontcha just stay at home?” This suggests the relationship between her and her grandchildren is a negative one. In the quotation, “All right, Miss, the grandmother said, just remember that the next time you want me to curl your hair”, the response of the grandmother suggests that she is childlike as well. Instead of reprimanding the children she elicits an immature response towards the remark. Finally, the relationship between the Grandmother and her son suggests that she does not treat her son as an adult. In the quotation, “Bailey was the son she lived with, her only boy”, by using the diction of “boy” it clearly demonstrates her protective maternal regard for her son which can also be identified in the quotation, “She stood with one hand on her thin hip and the other rattling the newspaper at his bald head”. The Grandmother’s actions are obviously not the typical way that a mother would address a mature adult. Also, through the diction of “rattling” it is demonstrated that the Grandmother is disrespectful and pushy.
Another important aspect of the story in terms of dialogue is the Grandmother’s worldview that is expressed explicitly on multiple occasions. One of these occurs when her grandson, John Wesley, claims that he would prefer to drive through Georgia fast so he won’t see much of it. The Grandmother replies, “In my time, children were more respectful of their native states and their parents and everything else. People did right then." This demonstrates her inability to tolerate young people’s values, and illustrates a self righteousness of the Grandmother’s beliefs that her time was a far superior time to live in. The Grandmother continues to demonstrate her old fashion views after passing by an African-American child on the street and referring to him as, “...the cute little Pickaninny!” This situation is expounded upon after June Star, the Grandmother’s granddaughter, remarks that the child had no “britches” on, and the Grandmother replies, “He probably didn't have any. Little niggers in the country don't have things like we do.” Aside from the obvious use of the word “nigger”, the Grandmother’s narrow-mindedness is exposed through her conviction of the child not wearing pants because he doesn’t have any. She simply utters her judgmental prejudice of the low standard of living due to the child’s ethnicity. Also, the Grandmother’s aristocratic views are showcased in the final sentence of the quote. After stating that African-American children don’t have the same things that the family does, a statement that would probably conjure up some kind of empathy, she instead claims that she would like to paint a picture of the scene.
The Grandmother’s final scene with the “Misfit” portrayed an interesting transformation of her character who initially was overly concerned about outward appearances and looking good to a woman who in the end implores with her killer, trying to flatter him to save her own life. When she reaches out to him and says, “You’re one of my own children”, she has basically accepted that everyone has both a good and evil side, even herself. Her reference to Jesus implies that He loves everyone despite their behaviour, which is a turnaround from her former discontent with her own family and racist comments earlier.
The Grandmother transforms throughout the story from a person who is very egocentric and selfish to someone who now believes that she is part of the whole human connection with God. She accepts that there is good and evil in everybody and it is demonstrated that sometimes it takes a near death crisis for a person to realize it. Through the use of literary elements and detailed descriptions the author creates an immensely characterized protagonist that we can all learn from.
